Sitting on a Train in China

This was all a part of my dad's brilliant idea of 'experiencing' China. So instead of traveling the conventional 'tourist' way (flying...etc), he decided that we should travel via the local way, the REALLY local way. In this case its traveling by train.

I tell you there was not ONE tourist in sight. If you ever decide to travel this way always make a point to have someone who knows the Chinese language because these places are not meant for tourists hence no translation!

At the first thought, I wasn't really into the idea of traveling the non-conventional way but then I thought that it would be a fun. So, reluctantly I tagged along.



This is the daughter of the local I mentioned that day. Really cute girl, who kept starring at my camera. She never seems to smile though!



Here I am waiting at the station. As you can see these are ALL locals, not one tourist in sight. I felt so out of place. But still it was interesting being able of observe the locals going about their daily routines.

The noisy horns of the train blew. Here comes the train! The train has finally arrived, time to get on board.

Sleepy head locals. The journey was 4 hours long. Combined with the rhythmic sound of the train, you can fall asleep in no time. My time was occupied taking shots like these. It really helped to pass time.

There were LOTS of people on the train, so they really try to squeeze as many people in as possible. The seats which normally seats two had to sit 4! So my whole family had so sit in one single bench. Luckily there were some other empty seats so my mom and sis moved there.

This elderly lady here is eating some nuts called 'kuaci'. Also sold here in Malaysia but its damn cheap in China. You could get one whole plastic bag for Rm 0.50 which would normally cost around Rm 5 here.

Eating 'kuaci' is very tedious but rewarding. You have to crack the shell with you teeth one by one and eat the nut inside. Very much like your conventional peanut only smaller and easier to crack. You have to be very patient eating it as you only get one small nibble in every shell.

Also sold on the train is ice-cream! Cost only RMB 1 (Rm 0.50) and it taste really good. It doesn't taste exactly like vanilla but still has a really milky taste. Till today I still can't really tell what flavor it is.



These four ladies were playing poker on the train to pass time. It was cute watching them conveying so many different facial expressions whilst playing their game.

To conclude, I can't say that I enjoyed the ride. (I was glad when the ride ended!!! HAhaha....) But I would take that ride again just to enjoy the whole 'local' atmosphere once more.