I (didn’t) make it to my train by a hair’s breadth. Gasping for breath, I’m in the G2781, checked in for the next train. Because the G2781 departs on the same platform and was still there when I ran up, I could still sneak in.
As I write this, the tickets are being checked. I mention the last 4 digits of my high-speed train pass: 3072. The conductor keeps looking at her screen just a little longer than usual. Then she walks to the next row of seats.
I still have my coat on, or actually 2 coats, because of the persistent drizzling weather. I’m hot after the short sprint from the subway to the train. And sandwiched between 2 rather large guys who are glued to their mobile phones.
The train travels at high speed through the fog. Through the window I see the typical, eternal Chinese construction site staring into the cabin. Every now and then: a raked piece of park, forest, or garden. But also: gullies and ditches milled out of the mud, with brand new roads and buildings behind them that are 85% complete.
The way home is long but seems short. My laptop keeps me company – a statistical analysis of convincingly clear bacterial growth curves is a challenge that easily takes me more than a week of traveling time.
And, since recent, I enjoy writing down thoughts and observations as well. Today even recursively!
Written on February 20, 2019