Comments on: Why I am Never Going Back to Kashgar http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/ In this Episode, Graham Goes to China Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:39:40 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Ellen http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-6253 Ellen Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:47:41 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-6253 I was so aggravated when this happened to me (the getting kicked out of a hostel) in Hami, Xinjiang. Two friends and I had already checked into the hostel, and we'd gone out for dinner, which was all pretty late because of travel and (non)time-zone issues. When we got back at 1am, the old, matronly attendant forced our departure. We were stunned, and even after I appealed to her human instincts (three young foreigners thrown out in an unfamiliar city with nowhere to go in the middle of the night, when you have beds right there that are unoccupied?!). I even got on the phone and yelled at her boss at how inhumane it was. I still find this unbelievable and sad. I was so aggravated when this happened to me (the getting kicked out of a hostel) in Hami, Xinjiang. Two friends and I had already checked into the hostel, and we’d gone out for dinner, which was all pretty late because of travel and (non)time-zone issues. When we got back at 1am, the old, matronly attendant forced our departure. We were stunned, and even after I appealed to her human instincts (three young foreigners thrown out in an unfamiliar city with nowhere to go in the middle of the night, when you have beds right there that are unoccupied?!). I even got on the phone and yelled at her boss at how inhumane it was. I still find this unbelievable and sad.

]]> By: Adeel http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5939 Adeel Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:47:57 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5939 I was in Kashgar at the end of August and had none of these problems. I also went to Karakul Lake, but I'm most mystified that you found a bus going there. Travel guides list both a specific bus going there (a joke to anyone who has ever been there), as well as a bus to Pakistan that stops on the way. I met quite a few people that went to the bus station only to find that there was no such bus (you need at least ten people for the bus to leave, and this never happens). I ended up going through a travel agency, which was fine. It was supposed to have been me, two Japanese and the driver, but the guide came to take us past the checkpoint, presumably because he was responsible for us, the driver being just a driver. I didn't know you needed a permit to do that independently, but it's no surprise what happened if you didn't have one. Sorry to hear it, it's an intensely frustrating country at times. I was in Kashgar at the end of August and had none of these problems. I also went to Karakul Lake, but I’m most mystified that you found a bus going there. Travel guides list both a specific bus going there (a joke to anyone who has ever been there), as well as a bus to Pakistan that stops on the way. I met quite a few people that went to the bus station only to find that there was no such bus (you need at least ten people for the bus to leave, and this never happens).

I ended up going through a travel agency, which was fine. It was supposed to have been me, two Japanese and the driver, but the guide came to take us past the checkpoint, presumably because he was responsible for us, the driver being just a driver. I didn’t know you needed a permit to do that independently, but it’s no surprise what happened if you didn’t have one. Sorry to hear it, it’s an intensely frustrating country at times.

]]> By: Bruce http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5848 Bruce Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:13:16 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5848 @Graham By the way, if you are interested in books on Xinjiang, check out my introduction to "My West Land, Your East Country" along with some translated excerpts: http://www.bruce-humes.com/?p=794 Chinese Books, English Reviews @Graham

By the way, if you are interested in books on Xinjiang, check out my introduction to “My West Land, Your East Country” along with some translated excerpts:

http://www.bruce-humes.com/?p=794

Chinese Books, English Reviews

]]> By: Graham http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5846 Graham Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:02:17 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5846 I did manage to have a good time in Kashgar but these events were a total bummer. Better luck next time I suppose. I can only imagine that the obstacles Uighurs face are exponentially worse than what I went through. Haha yeah I think I got a much more "authentically Chinese" experience in Kashgar. I certainly was a trip! I did manage to have a good time in Kashgar but these events were a total bummer. Better luck next time I suppose.

I can only imagine that the obstacles Uighurs face are exponentially worse than what I went through.

Haha yeah I think I got a much more “authentically Chinese” experience in Kashgar. I certainly was a trip!

]]> By: Bruce http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5835 Bruce Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:40:43 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5835 Disappointed to hear that all of this turned you off to Kashgar! Your experiences are perhaps not unlike what some Uighurs face on a regular basis. It was reported in the Shanghaiist that during the run-up to the Olympics, the Public Security Bureau in Shanghai posted notices stating that guests and hotel workers alike should immediately notify the police when Tibetans or Uighurs checked into a hotel. Treasure your Kashgar experiences which may, in some ways, be more genuine than others you have had in the People's Republic. Disappointed to hear that all of this turned you off to Kashgar!

Your experiences are perhaps not unlike what some Uighurs face on a regular basis. It was reported in the Shanghaiist that during the run-up to the Olympics, the Public Security Bureau in Shanghai posted notices stating that guests and hotel workers alike should immediately notify the police when Tibetans or Uighurs checked into a hotel.

Treasure your Kashgar experiences which may, in some ways, be more genuine than others you have had in the People’s Republic.

]]> By: Graham http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5805 Graham Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:14:01 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5805 @Stevo: I can only imagine what the security must have been like during that time. I probably would have gone absolutely stir-crazy! @Melissa: That's entirely possible, though I think it has been an ongoing thing. If they wanted to be zealous they would have searched the entire hostel and kicked everyone out. Not just me. @Kristin: Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm truly flattered. I wouldn't even know where to begin with putting together a book. Any suggestions? @Stevo: I can only imagine what the security must have been like during that time. I probably would have gone absolutely stir-crazy!

@Melissa: That’s entirely possible, though I think it has been an ongoing thing. If they wanted to be zealous they would have searched the entire hostel and kicked everyone out. Not just me.

@Kristin: Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m truly flattered. I wouldn’t even know where to begin with putting together a book. Any suggestions?

]]> By: kristin http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5771 kristin Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:18:57 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5771 Wow. Graham, this is my first time checking out your blog and if this post is anything indicative of your experiences and writing style you should definitely take Alan's advice and put together a book. I am subscribing now and also can't wait to hear about what you liked! Wow. Graham, this is my first time checking out your blog and if this post is anything indicative of your experiences and writing style you should definitely take Alan’s advice and put together a book.

I am subscribing now and also can’t wait to hear about what you liked!

]]> By: Melissa http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5723 Melissa Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:56:47 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5723 I noticed on the news last night that a few people were sentenced in connection with the riots yesterday. Maybe that contributed to their zealous foreigner herding... I noticed on the news last night that a few people were sentenced in connection with the riots yesterday. Maybe that contributed to their zealous foreigner herding…

]]> By: Stevo http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5716 Stevo Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:23:31 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5716 That's twice in a week I've been called creepy. I'm getting a complex. At least you weren't here before and during the Olympics. That was a nation-wide security crackdown. Even here, in the far south. I stayed at home for weeks. That’s twice in a week I’ve been called creepy. I’m getting a complex.

At least you weren’t here before and during the Olympics. That was a nation-wide security crackdown. Even here, in the far south. I stayed at home for weeks.

]]> By: Graham http://grahamwoodring.com/2009/10/12/why-i-am-never-going-back-to-kashgar/comment-page-1/#comment-5715 Graham Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:30:20 +0000 http://grahamwoodring.com/?p=643#comment-5715 How festively tongue in cheek, Stevo. Thank you. That or very, very creepy. I'm not sure which one. How festively tongue in cheek, Stevo. Thank you.

That or very, very creepy. I’m not sure which one.

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