Fingers Crossed in the Midst of Chaos

In just a few days, Spring Festival 2008 officially starts. Each year, Spring Festival (or Chinese New Year) is said to mark one of the biggest mass movements of humanity in the world. Hundreds of millions of people travel home to see their families; often, this is the only time of the year that Chinese people see their family. And so, the worst winter snowstorm afflicting China in 50 years couldn't come at a worse time. Millions upon millions of people are stranded at train stations, airports, bus stations, and so on. Some of those at Guangzhou Train Station have been stranded for a week. At work, much of the conversation centers around if coworkers will be able to travel home and see their family. Usually, each Spring Festival is a horribly chaotic time of year already, with people frantically trying to get train tickets home. But, this year, my coworkers are not only fretting about being able to get the tickets, but also how they will actually arrive at their destination. Already, China has lost an estimated $3 Billion USD economy-wise to this storm.

I myself am supposed to get to Shanghai on Saturday to meet my parents, but Shanghai is one of those major cities affected by this storm. So...am hoping that I will be one of those seemingly lucky few who get to make it to their intended destination.