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I spent most of the day traveling. First, I took a three and a half hour flight from Beijing to Urumqi. That's about the same distance as flying from New York to California.
China 2001 - Part Three: Kashgar
Dougburnett2003-11-24 10:03:29
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I went for a walk. Around my hotel there were a number of restaurants and cafés, which were full of locals eating and drinking. Across the street there was an outdoor pool hall - there were six tables setup on the sidewalk and lots of young men playing. I walked over for a closer look and, as I was standing there, I heard someone say, "Hello." I turned to see a young man I had met earlier in the bazaar.
"Have you come to play pool?" I ventured. "No," he said, "We have come looking for a man who said he would help with our English." He was with two other lads about the same age. I held out my hand and said hello to them. We stood talking for a few minutes, but the street noise made it difficult. Also, I slowly realized what a great opportunity had just been handed me. Practicing English with them would allow me to ask about their lives.
"If you don't find your friend, I would like to buy you a drink," I said. They quickly forgot their other friend and accepted my offer. It was now quite dark and the vehicle headlights showed how dusty the air was. I asked where they would like to go. They debated among themselves for a few minutes before the first fellow suggested John's - it's an Internet café directly across from my hotel. I was hoping for something a little more traditional - maybe a local teahouse. This is often the difference between travelers and locals: travelers want to see the old life while the locals want to show that they are modern.
When we sat down I asked what they wanted to drink, purposely suggesting a Coke. They asked if I drank beer. When I said I did, they said that was what they wanted. I felt a little funny ordering alcohol for them - Xinjiang is predominately Muslim and I had expected they would want soda or tea. Again, the difference between how the tourist sees things and how they actually are.
The first fellow orders. As we were waiting
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