Guangzhou: Makes Me Tired Just *Looking* At It.
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Ah, I'm not sure if it’s because I’ve been in a bad mood lately with some anxiety, seeing things might be somewhat negative now. But honestly, no matter when I go to Guangzhou (a bustling metropolis in southern China), I always feel a bit suppressed.
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On the wide streets, various vehicles flow continuously. The air is filled with a strong smell of exhaust fumes.
- This smell is particularly pungent – I felt like I might get carsick even before boarding the vehicle, which was extremely uncomfortable.
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On the sidewalks, most people are looking down, rushing impatiently ahead. There’s little expression or interaction among them.
- Everyone looks hurried without much emotion, their faces hardly bearing a smile. Maybe this is what it means to “grow up,” each person bravely facing the world alone.
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A small reminder (or perhaps吐槽translation as a complaint):
- Traffic congestion during peak hours in Guangzhou—well, it’s overwhelming! With clogged roads, drivers (likely rushing to work) drive aggressively and speedily, often trying to take advantage of gaps.
- Warning! While on the road, I was nervous the whole time, with exaggerated motion sickness. Over a short distance, I witnessed several rear-end accidents (when one vehicle bumps another from behind). Our car narrowly avoided a collision with others several times.
- Strategy: Prepare psychologically, fasten your seat belt if you're taking a taxi or public transportation. Alternatively, avoid rush hour (7-9 am and 5-7 pm) if feasible.
- Excluded from this rush would be the elders casually idling by the roadside. They leisurely spend afternoons drinking lemon tea at street shops, or strolling and sunbathing in the park, enjoying themselves completely.
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At night, the metro is packed. People continuously brush shoulders past each other.
- But I don’t understand why, after observing everyone inside and outside the carriages, the fatigue written on everyone’s face made me feel somewhat sad.
- Those who managed to grab some seats either take short naps with closed eyes, daze against the railings, or withdraw into their phones to relax tense nerves.
- As for those without seats, they assume various postures: leaning, holding onto the handles, one hand brushing through their phone or holding their bag—maybe comforting themselves slightly.
- Regardless of whether they sit or stand, nobody expresses much emotion; their brows could be furrowed, looking very exhausted. Looking at them pains my heart, especially thinking how I might become like them. Yet, I also wonder, maybe when they finally return home—taking a bath, playing with phones, eating, and watching a TV drama—they too might think life was rewarding and happy!
- The fresh and curious children in the car might well be the most lively highlight amid all this fatigue, bringing vitality to the entire cabin.
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Oh, please don't say I'm too negative! Lately, these are just personal impressions from my trip to Guangzhou, but perhaps it’s just that I’ve been overly pessimistic recently, which has colored my perception. Just sharing, everyone is welcome to read!
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You seem to have too much 'dampness' and a bit of 'liver qi stagnation' (traditional Chinese medicine terms).
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Have a cup of dampness-dispelling tea.
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I also feel like Guangzhou is way too crowded.
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It's more that there are too many people from out of town in Guangzhou.
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I hiked for half a day and I'm really tired. I want to sleep, but I'm on the bus and can't yet.