RIDING ON THE WIND; TALES OF A REDNECK GYPSY, VOL 1

By R.W. Edwards

Traveling the world isn’t easy, and certainly isn’t for everyone.  Patience, adaptability, and resourcefulness are keys to any successful journey. This book will entertain you with short stories of travels through different cultures and may offer some guidance in how, and how not to conduct yourself in unique travel si

• Language: English
• Publisher: Redneck Publications LLC
• Release date: Dec 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9780692093566

Book preview

MADE IN CHINA

It’s a 14 ½ flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Nonstop on the old reliable 747; it’s a smooth, uneventful flight, thank you Cathay Pacific. Usually not a big fan of airlines but Cathay Pacific is a first class operation.

The company was started by two pilots (American/Australian) at the conclusion of WWII. In the beginning they were a freight/mail carrier, with passenger service being added some years later. The company is an outstanding example of what two entrepreneurs with vision, brains, and cajones can accomplish.

The plane was about half full so I had an entire row of seats to lie down. Eat, sleep, wake up, eat, sleep, wake up in Hong Kong. The meals would rate on the high end of airline food.

On final approach into Kai Tak Airport, it appears the pilot has missed the runway and we’re preparing to ditch in the water. But it’s all good; the runways extend 5000 feet out into the sea. A nice rush if it’s your first trip here. Getting to the gate isn’t complicated. Once inside, it’s like every other international arrival, long, narrow, winding passageways leading to immigrations/customs queue.

Clear customs then outside to catch a bus. A half hour ride into the city, and a world of chaos. The signage is in Chinese and English, so it isn’t a problem getting into the city. Seeing where you catch the bus at the airport is the easy part. Knowing where to get off once you arrive in the city is something different all together.

Its 10 p.m. and the streets are completely packed with people, cars, buses, and taxis, all in a hurry to get wherever they’re going. No way to orientate a map, the bus is moving too fast, and it’s too crowded to see. All I know for sure is the bus I’m on crosses the street to the hostel where I have reserved a room, but I have no clue where the cross street is!

Not to mention the Chinese signage got much larger and the English much smaller when we reach the city. Forget trying to make heads or tails how the addresses are numbered, unless you can afford the shrink when you’re finished.

My Hong Kong map only shows the directions to the hostel from the cross street where I need to get off the bus. Who you going to ask for directions? Everybody’s speaking a language that sounds like an out of tune chorus.

Finally get off the bus, then spend the next hour and a half walking up and down both sides of the street looking for the cross street. Certainly was happy to finally find that street, and wouldn’t you know the hostel was right where the map said it would be!

The Dragon Hostel

Hong Kong is actually two parts. Hong Kong being home to all the major banks, the big name 5 star hotels, and high end apartments. Its other half, Kowloon lies across the harbor. The tight stack of high rise buildings that make up Kowloon provide the housing for the millions living there. If you don’t live in one of these, it’s either a boat, or you live in the street.

The Dragon Hostel sits on the 7th floor in the high rise jungle of concrete. The other floors being home to businesses, small factories, and families. Built like a box but open in the center. Doesn’t seem like the most fun place for a kid to grow up, but if you don’t know better, you don’t know.

The elevators in Hong Kong seem a bit small to me, and the Chinese are intent on setting the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of bodies they can get in one.

You get really up close and personal with the Chinese in an elevator. Maybe part of the reason there’s so many Chinese. The old, getting stuck in the elevator trick, and nothing better to do until you’re unstuck, why not a quickie?

The Lobby/Reception Desk isn’t much bigger than the elevator. An office desk for check-in, and to the immediate right two computers providing free internet. Opposite the check in desk sat a small refrigerator used for vending water and soft drinks.

The young fellow behind the desk speaks English well enough to easily understand. He gives me a map of the city, says the hostel can arrange day trips, and visas to Mainland china. Then shows me to my room.

Chinese rooms are about the size of a roomette on a train. a bed with just enough room to stand and get dressed. The bathroom across the hall is an example of how to conserve space. Sit down toilet, tiny wash basin, and flexible shower hose/head. In fact to save time as well as space you could shower and have your daily constitutional all at the same time.

A sign in the open corridor, In case of fire, use stairs. Sounds like good advice, but right now its sleep, there will be plenty of time to find the stairs.

A trip into mainland China visa requires passport, two passport photos and $100. The whole process takes 2-3 days. Use the time to explore the city. Hong Kong is an International city and people of all nationalities call it home.

It doesn’t take long on the streets of Hong Kong to realize it’s been invaded by, 7-11, Mickey Dees all day diner, KFC, Starbucks, and Spaghetti House. If the thought of real Chinese cuisine and guess what we’re eating now, doesn’t sound all that good, Colonel Sanders and his 11 secret herbs and spices is just around the corner.

Never Drink The Tap Water!!!

Your eyes will begin to slant and your L’s may start sounding like R’s. Not, but you will be so sick it may seem so. Everybody drinks from a bottle and it’s got an alcohol content.

Walking around early in the morning (6am) could be viewed as a marvelous appetite suppressant. The part of the city where I’m staying has the fragrances of open sewer/rotting fish blending together in such a unique way I now have a whole new appreciation for anorexia. (The aroma was gone before lunch).

Elevated walkways over the side street and behind the hostel provide the way for masses of people to access the subway. It’s here the elders are doing Tai-Chi early in the mornings. Below the elevated walkway are permanent sidewalk vendors, with corrugated tin roofs. A shanty town of merchants offering, fruits, vegetables, and a wide variety of goods for sale.

Fire Anyone?

The paper said the fire started sometime around 2am. Took the fire department about an hour to put it out.

No one in the hostel knew anything about it!!! It was so close I can smell the burnt offerings left lying in the street!! On the street, it looked like the flames were reaching the second floor before they got a handle on it.

At this point I still had not found the stairs, but went on a mission to find them, and did not go out again until I had done so.

Wonders Of Hong Kong

VICTORIA PEAK majestically sits on the Hong Kong side. It’s a 14 degree gradient cable car ride to the top. At the peak, an awesome view of the city, the harbor, and the sea. The best way to see how small Hong Kong really is. The usual restaurants and gift shops await your arrival. Museum is at the low end where you board.

THE STAR FERRY may not sound like such a big deal, and it really isn’t anymore, but for many years; prior to the mid seventies when the tunnels were completed under the harbor, The STAR FERRY was the only way across the harbor. For around 50 cents, you can’t beat the price, or the scenic ride on a Hong Kong landmark.

OCEAN TERMINAL is a mall built right on the harbor, and one of the deepest natural harbors in the world. The largest cruise ships can dock alongside the terminal allowing passengers to disembark into the mall. Want to buy a car and take it away? This is where it gets done.

The worlds largest BUDDHA is definitely the largest one I’ve ever seen. The cool part of getting to see BIG BUDDHA was the 20 minute cable car ride over a mountain and 200 meters above the water. Along with the big guy are monuments to the twelve divine generals; each representing one of the animals in the Chinese calendar.

Souvenir shops stocked with Buddha paraphernalia, Chinese fast food restaurants, ice cold beer, and the Po Lin Monastery; all reside in harmony with Mr. Buddha. From the monastery, the PATH OF WISDOM traverses thru the gardens and forest to the mountain top. I followed the path for quite a way up the mountain before I realized infusing wisdom with redneck is defying the Laws of Physics.

Maybe the path really did work?! Reverse course and head back down to an ice cold beer. In the words of Jackson Browne, I’ll be content being a happy idiot.

Have always been intrigued by Buddhism. Like other religions of the world, it lays down the laws of life. The path to enlightenment (heaven to the Christians). They believe in reincarnation, but claim we have no soul, and could return as a cockroach should we choose the wrong path. Huh?

In the end, it’s just another man made religion, and I will never be converted by any human being telling me he knows how God wants me to live my life. Then give me hell for non-compliance. The judgment of the Great Spirit is the only one that matters to me. Let the clowns who condemn us all to hell every Sunday have it for themselves. I have an unshakeable belief in the SUPREME BEING, and my faith does not require a middleman to have a relationship with my Creator.

The Way To Beijing

Spending some time in Hong Kong is a good way to acclimate yourself to the Chinese culture. If Hong Kong is a culture shock, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

The two ways into mainland China from Hong Kong are either air or rail. Traveling by rail is the way to experience China. From Hong Kong’s Hung Hom Railway Station, it’s a 24 hour ride to Beijing. Hung Hom Railway Station is overflowing with people, but a folding tripod seat always guarantees a place to sit.

There won’t be any available seats at the station. Once you become aware of some Chinese hygiene practices, the tripod seat will become a necessity, especially when queuing at any public transportation facility.

The Chinese don’t seem to swallow, so gobs of spit are everywhere. NEVER lean against or place your hands on any vertical surface, as walls are a receptacle for spit. For this reason, among others, it’s good to carry handy-wipes in case you forget.

Train tickets must be purchased 2-3 days in advance to guarantee a sleeper berth for the trip. Arrive at the station at least two hours prior to the train’s departure. This is ample time to sort things out and have a bite to eat. Departure gate, passport control, baggage checked by security, etc.

If you haven’t checked in at least fifteen minutes prior to departure, forget about it. No sob story in the world is going to get you on the train.

Pass thru Security and Customs to another waiting area. All announcements are made in Chinese only. When the herd moves to the platform--follow the herd. Conductors direct everyone to their proper cars, bunks, or seats. While boarding I remember all the references about a Chinese fire drill. But little time to enjoy it and no time to muck about, as the train leaves the station on the minute!!

The train is filled to capacity, with each soft sleeper