In 1996, the none-ticket (fare evasion) train journey from Hanoi to Saigon was the most memorable experience of GIEO QUANG.
At first, GIEO QUANG did not know how to take the train without money, so he just sneaked into the station and sat at the back of the train, ready to leave. Then two guys about GIEO QUANG’s age came and said: “You can’t jump here, follow us, throw your bag on top of train first, and only jump when the train leaves the station.” Having never jumped on a train before, GIEO QUANG was able to get on the roof of the train to watch Hanoi with two “strange friends” and quickly forgot his feelings of anxiety and doubt…
Being warned in advance, GIEO QUANG always managed to escape the train and station guards on the way through the Northern provinces. GIEO QUANG couldn’t help but wonder: “Why are they chasing me! I don’t have any money so I’m just hitching a ride, and I’m on the roof, I’m not bothering anyone in the compartment…!”
When arriving in the Central region, GIEO QUANG accidentally rolled into the kitchen compartment when a chef opened the door to get coal. Everyone in the galley said nothing, but their eyes were full of suspicion, so GIEO QUANG quietly moved to the edge of the passenger compartment door and stood close so as not to disturb anyone.
When the ticket inspector came from afar, GIEO QUANG knew it was not good but remained calm because I thought I had no money anyway. The ticket inspector stopped in front of me, quickly looked me up and down, did not ask for a ticket but said with a dissatisfied look: “This is not good, get off at the station)…
After passing Hai Van Pass, GIEO QUANG had mastered getting on and off in 3 positions of the train without being disturbed by anyone: resting on the steps of the locomotive at night; watching the scenery on the roof of the train during the day; if I did not jump on the front of the train in time, I could hang body myself behind the last car…
The train arrived at Nha Trang station when the sun had just risen. GIEO QUANG felt many differences compared to the places I had been to. No more cold drizzle, no more suspicious eyes, no more feeling of coldness and loneliness... GIEO QUANG was stunned and could not respond when a crew member patted his shoulder: "Come inside the cockpit later, it's dangerous outside!"...
Holding the sandwich the train driver had given him with both hands, sitting on the co-pilot's seat... GIEO QUANG did not eat the sandwich even though I had not had anything in his stomach for the past 2 days and 2 nights, and for some reason, I did not say anything when the co-pilots asked: "Are you going to the South to find work? Do you know anyone here?...". No one tried to remind me to eat bread, no one wondered or felt annoyed when they didn’t get an answer, it was as if everyone had lived together for a long time, understood each other already…
Stepping out of the Saigon station gate, GIEO QUANG found myself no longer the image of a pupil like before entering Hanoi station: my hair was no longer neat, my clothes were no longer clean, my shoes had been thrown down Hai Van pass, my skin was shriveled, I carried a bag of things like someone from the forest to the city… but GIEO QUANG had more confidence when I heard the invitations: “Where are you going, I will take you!”; “Sell something, I will buy it for you!”…
Gieo Quảng
