Day 63: Mechanics, arcade games and puddles

Location : Tongshuan to Xian.

Since we left Beijing we have been on the look out to once again run Martha’s fuel tank past a mechanic as it had fallen a touch. Clearly we would do it ourselves but not having the heavy duty tools, as opposed to our ability is the only limiting factor……

Rolling out of our overnight City, Tongshuan, Sun Ji made some calls and we drove into a yard and parked up amongst the other trucks.

The locals instantly appeared from all corners to come and check us out looking astonished. Our smiles are instantly reciprocated and we are soon having our photos taken with them. This sequence of events has very much been the norm in China and is often played out wherever we rock up. The people are so incredibly inquisitive and friendly.

While we played a highly competitive game of Extreme Truck yard football in 35 degree heat with the locals looking on and the sweat pouring off us (Englishman in the midday sun and all that) two mechanics welded one of the support stay back into place and were kind enough to inexplicably put a hole in the fuel tank with a screwdriver. He looked very pleased with himself and would have been much worse had Steve not shouted in protest. Apparently he was checking for corrosion. (Thankfully this is at the top and only leaks if the tank is full but will need fixing in the near future).

Four hours later we were back on the road and on our way to Xian, the legendary walled city once terminus of the Silk Road.

This seems like a good time discuss the roads in China.

Firstly construction. They are building everywhere. I have lost count of the number of spectacular bridges spanning massive gorges that are under-construction. Incredible.

Secondly driving. The Chinese approach to driving is simple. You drive on the right and then fight for space like your life depends on it.

On the motorway its like an arcade game and it can only approached with the mindset anything goes. If you expect the worst then it is strangely an enjoyable challenging experience, except at night!

In the Cities its an arcade game on level 10 where you’re desperately holding on with only one life left. Its dog eat dog. Every space is fought for and the tiniest of gaps are jumped on. Throw into the mix bikes, mopeds, carts, pedestrians aimlessly strolling in front of you and you’ll understand why the sirens are frequently bought into play.

For my drive into Xian the situation was made infinitely worse by playing (if that’s the right word?) “Sauna Saturday” in 35 degree heat. Windows were wound up, heating was put onto the max and it was a fight to see who would be the first to bail. We were saturated with puddles at our feet by the time we rolled up to the hotel. Thankfully Ross bought this lunacy to the end, for one week at least.

Paul Barham

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