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Travel Disaster
posted Monday, 28 January 2008
I’m sorry to go on about this, but it is cold. I’m told that this is Guangxi’s coldest winter since 1951. I wasn’t around then. I didn’t exist. So I have to believe them. This really only applies to the rural areas. Today’s newspaper says that the urban area is experiencing the worst for 5 years. Roads north from Liuzhou are pretty much closed and trains to/from the north severely disrupted – just at China’s peak travelling time with literally millions trying to get home for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). More here.
If you ever want to experience hell on earth, it’s easy. Visit any Chinese railway station today. For the maximum experience, hell beyond your wildest nightmares, visit Guangzhou Railway station. It is the pit of the earth at the best of times. Today it will be a disaster zone. It was reported that yesterday there were 170,000 people there waiting for trains which have been cancelled or delayed. That figure is expected to rise to 600,000 today! This picture shows the crowds outside Guangzhou Railway station waiting to get in. Note the shelters. The station is the building at the rear with the large clock.
Of course, the cold has effects here in the city, too. Food prices are going up as the farmers struggle to get produce to the city (if the produce hasn't already died in the ground). Longer term problems include the damage to fruit trees by the sub-zero temperatures. I remember, five years ago local farmers were predicting a banana shortage. Seems banana plants can't survive in these temperatures. Not sure that I can either!
Which reminds me!
1. Nanning FZ left...
Monday, 28 January 2008 6:26 pm
Oh.... I love those icy trees! They can be made into very good ice lollies.
2. John O left...
Tuesday, 29 January 2008 5:07 am
can't be fun for anyone. it gets darn cold here in the States but the
coldest I have ever been in my life was two years ago in Beijing. The wind
cut to the bone and I was almost in tears with the misery of it. btw - what
news of xiao mei ???
3. MC left...
Thursday, 31 January 2008 10:41 am
Today's temperature here in Wisconsin, USA is 25 degrees below zero. You
ain't seen nothing yet.
4. liuzhou left...
Thursday, 31 January 2008 10:57 am :: http://liuzhou.blog-city.com
But I bet you have heating!