Sat in my garden in Sheffield South Yorkshire UK reading this and was transported back to China. In 1993 I spent 2 months backpacking across China with only a set of info cards stating I was a vegetarian and English. It’s a vast country and I barely saw any of it and to be honest it was challenging but then I headed back to Europe across Russia - the contrast was stark. - at that time it seemed the whole population of Russia was aggressively drunk -unlike friendly but confusing China. Since then it’s just been tier 1 cities. Hats off to this young man may he have many more adventures
This is an inspiring story. I am a woman who hitch-hiked across Europe long ago. No one does it anymore, especially not women. I respect the story teller's courage to do it in that extreme cold. And I respect his humanity, his righteously validated belief that people would help him. Bravo!
Sitting in my warm car watching my lad play football in subtropical Brisbane, I’m transported back to my own Shanghai to Urumqi adventure during Fudan University’s summer break 1991. May you have many more grand adventures to share with us. Go well.
What a brave, strong fellow. What a heart-warming story. Its much easier in Australia where its warmer. Reminds me of the time I hitched from Sydney to Perth with quite a small number of drivers, about 5000km of dry country with no mountains and no more than about 10 drivers at the age of 20 years. Its rare to see people hitching these days.
I am humbled. In my time as a student in Beijing, it would never have crossed my mind to make a trip to Urumchi, let alone do it by hitching (I think the best I did was Xian by train). Very brave and imaginative!
Great story! Question from a non-Chinese speaker: how good is Tanikawa's Mandarin? Does he have an accent that would be an immediate tell he is Japanese?
I too did the 56 hour green train CNY journey from Urumqi to Wuxi, Jiangsu about ten years ago. It was an unforgettable experience and the highlight of my entire two-week trip. You meet so many interesting people in a situation like that, being stuck in a vehicle for three days with people from every province and nothing to do but talk and play cards to pass the time. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to hitchhike the same route.
Sat in my garden in Sheffield South Yorkshire UK reading this and was transported back to China. In 1993 I spent 2 months backpacking across China with only a set of info cards stating I was a vegetarian and English. It’s a vast country and I barely saw any of it and to be honest it was challenging but then I headed back to Europe across Russia - the contrast was stark. - at that time it seemed the whole population of Russia was aggressively drunk -unlike friendly but confusing China. Since then it’s just been tier 1 cities. Hats off to this young man may he have many more adventures
This is an inspiring story. I am a woman who hitch-hiked across Europe long ago. No one does it anymore, especially not women. I respect the story teller's courage to do it in that extreme cold. And I respect his humanity, his righteously validated belief that people would help him. Bravo!
It reminds me of the film, Before Sunrise, though it was different context. The good old days!
Sitting in my warm car watching my lad play football in subtropical Brisbane, I’m transported back to my own Shanghai to Urumqi adventure during Fudan University’s summer break 1991. May you have many more grand adventures to share with us. Go well.
What a brave, strong fellow. What a heart-warming story. Its much easier in Australia where its warmer. Reminds me of the time I hitched from Sydney to Perth with quite a small number of drivers, about 5000km of dry country with no mountains and no more than about 10 drivers at the age of 20 years. Its rare to see people hitching these days.
You are welcome to share your story!
I am humbled. In my time as a student in Beijing, it would never have crossed my mind to make a trip to Urumchi, let alone do it by hitching (I think the best I did was Xian by train). Very brave and imaginative!
Loved reading the original story and you did it justice in your translation. Amazing work, Jiang laoshi!
Great story! Question from a non-Chinese speaker: how good is Tanikawa's Mandarin? Does he have an accent that would be an immediate tell he is Japanese?
An amazing story!
Thanks, amazing experience!
I too did the 56 hour green train CNY journey from Urumqi to Wuxi, Jiangsu about ten years ago. It was an unforgettable experience and the highlight of my entire two-week trip. You meet so many interesting people in a situation like that, being stuck in a vehicle for three days with people from every province and nothing to do but talk and play cards to pass the time. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to hitchhike the same route.