February 1, 2008

Tokyo (JAPAN)

Update: Not-So-Easy Travel in China

Contrary to yesterday's post on easier travel in China, it should be pointed out that travel in China is never easy - especially in light of the horrible snow storms that have recently hammered the country causing $3 billion in economic losses and the cancellation of nearly 4000 flights. This article by the AP highlights the kind of shortcomings associated with the ever-developing nation's growth, and pictures like the one to the right demonstrate what travel conditions are like even at the best of times. This particular photo was taken at the Xian train station in central China as I prepared to board a 20 hour train into the Gobi Desert (Xinjiang Province). There really were that many people in the "queue," and once the gates opened it was a free-for-all as people shoved their way on board; it was first come, first served with regard to seating, and everyone knew it.