The Trip: Passport? Check. Visa? Check. Plan? Um, sort of.
OK. I’ve got all my documents in hand — passport, residence permit, alien employment permit — and they all seem pretty legit. Lots of red stamps. And, in China, red stamps are all you need.
So, I think I can say, without much hesitation, that the much-talked-about trip will finally get underway on Monday … and could be coming to a city near you soon! (If you live in China.)
Due to the delay, however, I think it is best if I revamp my original plans a bit. The course of this trip is partly being dictated by where I have contacts, people willing to take me in and show me around and answer some questions. And some of my contacts are students. If I would stick to my original plan, they would be back at school by the time I arrive at their hometown.
So the course has changed a little, but the aim has not: I will still be traveling all over China.
So, before I tell you the new route, let me tell you something: I know it is ridiculous. I know it is not a direct route. I know it doesn’t take existing train routes into account. I know I go halfway across the country, and then back east, and then all the way west again. I know. I know. I know. And I don’t really care.
Based on other people’s schedules, this is what I gotta do. And if it was planned too well, it wouldn’t be an adventure, would it?
OK, here goes the tentative order of the trip. And, remember, it is always subject to change. And there will definitely be stops in between these locations. This is just based on what I know now.
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Southern Zhejiang
Shangrao, Jiangxi
Pingxiang, Jiangxi
Changsha, Hunan
Qixing Village, Liangping Town, Chongqing
Xi’an, Shaanxi
Linfen, Shanxi
Baotou, Inner Mongolia
Beijing
Dandong, Liaoning
TBD, Jilin
TBD, Heilongjiang
Long trip west through Inner Mongolia
TBD, Ningxia
Lanzhou, Gansu
TBD, Qing Hai
Tibet
After Tibet, will start making my way back, likely through Sichuan, Yunnan and then perhaps a southern swing through Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and back home.
Of course, all of this will likely change many, many times over the course of the trip. But this is how I see things now, based on my current information. No clue whether all of this works out logistically. And yes, I am aware that I will be traveling through Jiangxi, Hunan and Chongqing during some of the hottest days of the year. And yes, I know that it might be snowing in Tibet by the time I get there. I know. I know. I know.
All the more reason for you to follow along daily. Should be some interesting stories to tell.
OK, I’ve got to go pack.
See you on the road?
07.17.2004, 12:00 AM · The Trip
3 Comments
GOOD LUCK, Dan! Well wishes will be streaming your way from California for the duration, and I will be glued to my monitor for updates. Stay safe, and most of all, have a great time!
Vaya con Dios, Dan.
Grace and peace be with you. Bernie.
can’t help waiting for your next blog.GoOd LuCk