郑州市 Zhengzhou 1983年

by Leroy W. Demery, Jr.

I arrived at Zhengzhou early on the morning of 1983 August 16. I planned to use Zhengzhou as a "base" to visit the Shaolin Temple, and Kaifeng.

Nothing to do during the early a.m. hours, so I strolled around a bit. The streets were not well lit. I happened to glance upward ... and saw the familiar color of twin copper wires, reflecting the dim light.

I mumbled, under my breath, "Oh, h__l, not another trolleybus system!"

The operator title was 郑州市电车公司, Zhēngzhōu Shì Diànchē Gōngsī ("Zhengzhou City Trolleybus Company").

Zhengzhou was a nice enough city, but I remember seeing evidence of large-scale poverty in the area.

A large number of people were asleep in the railway station waiting room when I arrived (the room was large, and dark). I remember a room of similar size at the nearby long-distance coach station. A similar large number of people slept here.

I did not realize this at first, but many people appeared to be using the railway and coach station waiting rooms as residences.

The 中原大厦, Zhōngyuán Dàshà, hotel, where I stayed, was not far away.

Everywhere else in China, no one asked for identification or documents as I walked towards the hotel.

Things were different in Zhengzhou. Security police, dressed in plain clothes, were stationed on all footpaths (two or three) leading to the main entrance. All persons who stayed at the hotel were required to show their hotel passes each time they approached the entrance. These inspections took place about 20 meters, or more, before reaching the door.

(I was "probably" asked to show my passport before checking in.)

I departed Zhengzhou on 18 August - and spent one more day in Xi'an, on 19 August.

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