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The time we spent in Lhasa was interesting to say the least, however, after nearly two weeks there, we'd had enough of yak meat and countless stalls selling Tibetan trinkets.
Fortunately, we were able to move up our flight arrangements, giving us three more days for the Silk Road (last stop in Kashgar is next to Pakistan).
We arrived in Kumming in the afternoon. The weather reminded me of home, dry and mild--although the forecast on my yahoo setting have continuously had temperatures well below the typical 70s. It must be unsually cold at home, huh? The city looked just like other Chinese cities, except that it seemed to me that fewer people were smoking in public places. We checked into our hostel, the Cloudland, and had my first club sandwich in China. I also dared having a local beer, something I resisted in Lhasa because of the Altitude Sickness and the remoteness of the place.
The following day we headed out to Stone Forest-covering an area of more than 300 square kilometers, with numerous stone peaks, pillars, and stalagmites. Karst is the geological terms. It looks like something out of a fairytale. Apparently this area was once
seafloor but due to crustal movement, the seabeds rose and became exposed, thus forming the Forest. Took tons of pictures but uploading has been a problem.
After a day in Kumming, we took another overnight train to Guilin/Yanghuo, along the Li River. In Yanghuo we arranged to go up the river and see some famous scenery, which appears on most Chinese currency. Our second day in Yangshuo, we floated down a different part of the river on bamboo rafts, and then explored some local caves. Imagine beig surrounded by lush green mounds--The ride down the river was scenic and relaxing, up until a female Chinese tour guide started singing 'local traditional' songs, using a blow horn. Are Chinese tour guides required to sing and create 'ambiance'? Maybe so.
After donning construction worker helmets, our cigarette smoking guide paddled us into the 'real' Water Caves of Yanshuo. Inside we saw more karst formation, of things like a turtle, lion, camel, the Great Wall, Mickey Mouse, a boot, Yeah. He kept asking us what images we saw in the stones, and Xiang Yi and I kept coming up with incorrect answers just to annoy him! Well, there was also a
mud pool. Kinda slimmy and cold but at least we got some serious exfoliation!
Exhausted as I was after our day long excursion, my Mahjiong teacher was patiently waiting for me to arrive. Yes! I actually took a class to learn how to play Mahjiong! I even bought a small traveling set with me to take those long train rides!
George (yes, he was Chinese and sort of spoke English) picked me up on a motorcyle and took me to his family's house for the class. I met his sister and brother--helping make the foursome for the game (although you can play with fewer people but you really have to know the rules). The lesson was a bit funny in that George would get really excited about the combination of wins. He would do this funny whistling thing. In anycase, I had fun and bought a set which means that when I get home, I will have to convert others to the Mahjiong cause..ehem....Martha, Patty, Letty, Debbie, Virginia, Leonila......
For dinner we had the local specialty, "Beer Fish." Between the two of us we has 1 kilo of fish, sauteed in vegitables with beer. Also, we ordered
some greens, something similar to Thailand's Morning Glory and very young bamboo shoots. Way too much food. We weren't expecting large servings!
The train ride to Xi'an was grueling, as we were unable to book hard sleepers--meaning we spent 24 hours sitting in a seat among 4 strangers, sometimes 6. Why the difference in numbers? Well, in China you can buy a standing ticket on the train. Of all the trains we've taken, this one was the most packed EVER. Our row was meant for 3 but people squeezed themselves onto the edges of seat or sat on the floor, claiming whatever space available.
Despite the sardine feeling, people were very courteous and did not smoke inside the carriage, making the effort to get up and smoke either in the toilets or between cars. Ugh, toilets.
Also, when the train had emptied a bit, I pulled out my mahjiong set and practiced with some amused Chinese people. Pretty soon a crowd surrounded us. Crazy foreigner!
Currently we're on our second stop along the Silk Road....more to come!
jessica
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