“I’ve learned to be homesick for every city I’ve lived in, every city I’ve loved.” – Old Sean
For the last several months, I have made Chongqing my home, living in a super-city between two conjoined rivers.
But today, I’ve packed my single backpack and shouldered my sleeping bag. Soon I’ll be departing Chongqing.
I’m off to board a train which will chug north and east for nineteen hours to Beijing. There, in the Chinese capital, I’ll work to earn my CELTA certification. (A CELTA an advanced English teaching certificate based on a course designed by Cambridge.)
That being said, it would be a final pity not to skim through my last few weeks in Chongqing.
A large chunk of that was spent working, teaching and handling the relatively few necessities of moving. (Having one backpack worth of earthly possessions makes moving simple).
But the rest of my time was spent ensuring I soaked up every last sight Chongqing had to offer.
Final Points of Interest in Chongqing
I’ve had the chance to pick my way along the dry shores of the rivers, ankles pitching over a tumbling field of rounded-river-stones. I wandered to Chongqing Crocodile Center, a tourism crocodile farm within the city. Here, tourists can feed the toothy monstrosities chicken by using a sturdy bamboo fishing rod.
It’s mildly terrifying to watch them jump clear of the water while taunting them with chicken.
On a final weekend, I braved the infamously humid summer alongside a lovely lady named Destiny. We once again delved into Black Valley, following a steep, leg-wobbling climb. The route passed waterfalls, rope bridges and occasional drizzles.
Back in the urban metroplex, Russian singers serenaded me during an exquisite (and hefty) lunch. Russian food is dense, so each sampling could’ve safely been called a meal. This was at Russian Castle Restaurant (俄羅斯城堡) near Drunken Moon Lake.
Quaint Living Around Chongqing
In between these adventures, I wandered out with friends into Chongqing’s nightlife, sipping imported beers. I was dared to sample strange foods until my personal health was in a state of mockery. Each night I would return home to sleep while exercising my home’s air conditioner to drive away humidity.
I spent my last few days saying my goodbyes and closing whatever loose ends floating around my personal life. Leaving any home always takes a surprising amount of detangling and departing Chongqing was no exception.
I confess wasn’t skilled when handling my apartment lease, internet and cell service. There’s a lot more paperwork when a foreigner is trying to navigate this stuff.
I continued sorting out those issues until my final day. Finally, I hopped on the train, feeling uncommonly frantic in a seemingly sudden departure.
Departing Chongqing, Onward to Beijing
But alas, things are settled (as much as they can be) and it’s time to go. I’ll be in Beijing for a little over a month as I flail through CELTA’s trial-by-fire crash course.
I’ve been advised not to make too many other plans, as the course is rigerous. So for the next month, I probably won’t do much exploring.
Regardless, once finished, I look forward to visiting the Great Wall and Beijing’s smoggy skies.
I write this while currently sitting on the high-speed train jetting across the country at 303 Km/h.
The lay of the land has changed gradually but profoundly. Sheer arcs of mountains in humid haze dominated the first portion of the trip. With those chasms and gorges, bridges spanning rivers and valleys almost every three minutes.
These sweeps of land gradually settled into splotch-shaped farms, the occasional bobbing hill prominent in these lowlands. Ambling settlements are stacked uncommonly high with muted red roofs and solemn grey walls.
Finally, as the rail-lines sliced further east, the farms became more spacious and organized. Soon, the denser cities of the east coast will begin cropping up.
Regardless, I’m departing Chongqing while my journey continues and my train-dinner will be served shortly. And on that pre-packaged yet happy note,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written September 1st, 2017
Want to see the Leftfade Trails Guide for exploring Chongqing? Click this link to learn more about the city.
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One backpack has gotten me across the world for over a decade. The indominable Osprey Farpoint 40 is my all-purpose travel backpack of choice. It packs easily, works as a carry-on, handles weight distribution well and remains adjustable. This is the perfect bag for general, all-purpose travel. However, if a person is wandering into specialized terrain or deep wilderness, I recommend looking at Osprey’s other trekking backpack options.
Visiting China? The country’s Great Firewall policy can make it difficult to use English-Internet resources. Protect yourself by getting a Chinese-operational VPN.
