bus, finding a mototaxi to take him to the train station. Some passengers also left the bus, unwilling to keep waiting for Godot.
When I saw people leaving, I began to get really nervous. As a reminder, I did not know any Cantonese, nor did my cellphone have network connection. I was actually relieved when I heard another passenger say that it appeared that there were some car accidents on the road, because she was speaking in Mandarin. The strong desire to seek help from others made me quickly approach a Mandarin-speaking couple, like a drowning man searching for a rope. Sooner or later, I introduced myself to a young lady and as well as this couple, who came from Guangzhou. To my surprise, they were also planning to leave the bus. Hallelujah! We were in the same boat, and our shared desperation to leave the bus pulled us closer since the moment we met.
Later on, we managed to leave the bus and arrived at the Humen train station. But it turned out that the tickets to Guangzhou were almost sold out, and the only ticket I could buy was the train leaving at ten in the evening, which would be ten hours later. Just when I thought I had no other choice but wait until the evening, the couple from Guangzhou told me that as long as we could get through the front gates, then we could get on the train. Yet there were too many passengers waiting for the train, and passengers were not allowed to board before 2 hours of departure. Therefore, the lady pretended she was pregnant and that we all came from the same family, which did not work successfully. However, we still managed to board the train in a few hours, and the couple helped me contact my friend. Then we waved goodbye to each other.
I was lucky to have them on my journey. Without their help, there was no chance that I would have survived my trip to Guangzhou and have arrived back in Hong Kong safely. This was the worst bus experience I have ever experienced in my life, yet I learned something important. Back in Taiwan, I seldom felt the need to ask for help, for I myself could usually solve all my problems on my own. Yet things changed during my time on exchange. The need for companionship forced me to ask for help and build strong connections with others. So next time, if you want to forge a bond with others, make yourself important to
Julie eventually made it to Canton Tower, the tallest building in Guangzhou at 604 metres.
others! Either find a place for you in their lives, or fulfill any needs they already have. By doing so, they will definitely become your friends. For needs are the essence of a relationship, and the crucial factor that makes a sustainable long-term relationship last.
Julie is an exchange student from Taiwan majoring in English education.
15 DECEMBER 2017