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30th March, 2001

Yangtze River Cruise Boat Attracts Attention Of Local People As Provisions Are Loaded Onto Boat .


Our Yangtze River cruise lasted just over a day and a half, with an overnight stop at a small riverside town to pick up provisions. There was an opportunity to walk up steep paths to the dimly lit streets of the town, although not many people were seen there. Night entertainment at the time, Discos, Night Clubs, Cinemas, Casinos, in such locations, were just not available, and after a hard working day from dawn to dusk, sleep was far more important. The coolies and porters who serviced the incoming boats worked to a different schedule.

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Everyone of us would, I think, be prepared to admit that if we had news of some unusual event happening on our doorstep, we would make every effort to be present for the occasion. Perhaps news of the arrival of a brand new cruise boat had gone ahead of us, as there were a number of local people enjoying the "White Emperor" and no doubt a glimpse of the strange foreign people on board. Perhaps in these days of "mass tourism" it is only the new boats which would
attract their attention.
There was a gang of coolies, with
their shoulder poles, loading all
the provisions onto the cruise boat.
Where would China be without its coolies ?
The famous writer, Han Suyin, wrote
in one of her books that the Chinese coolies should stand up and be proud of their contribution to the wealth and prosperity of the Nation. Unfortunately I cannot remember her exact words.

There was an occasion on a visit to Guilin where I saw a young coolie breaking up some concrete around the base of a statue. I asked my Chinese friends to enquire why he was doing it, and the coolie replied,
"Because I have been told to do so."
I have tried to fathom out what was
going on in the mind of this young porter,
as he watched the foreign tourists on
the cruise boat. His expression continues to haunt me. Each one of us would have paid
more for our, "Grand Tour Of China",
than he would probably earn in a lifetime.
Fresh chickens and chicken livers
ready to be loaded when
the quality had been checked.
The vegetables used in cooking
were always fresh looking, as were these greens, root ginger and aubergines.
This has always been my experience.
The bollards on the quay made
useful seats during a quiet period,
even for a woman and a young child.
The loading of provisions had been completed so there was time for a smoke, a chat
or even a nap, before the next boat was due.
Perhaps this is what attracted the interest of the bystanders !


There are three other Yangtze pages to be seen. Just click the links below !

Cruise On Grand Canal From Suzhou To Wuxi

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