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