CASheridan87

Sorry for the big break between entries, but accessing an internet cafe in Xinjiang has turned out to be pretty difficult. Well, not its almost over. I'll try to recap what has happened in the last week or so, as the majority of events have not been that interesting. After the great time in Turpan, we (Miles, Saskia and Myself) took a bus to Urumqi, where I rushed to try to get a bus to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake) where the plan was to stay in a yurt with a Kazhak (sp?) family. It was no to be though, as the last bus had already departed. Instead, I booked tickets for a day trip the next day, and checked into a hostel with Saskia and Miles. After a little bit of relaxation, we went out for ... read more

Since we last spoke, I was getting ready to go to the Mogao caves, which were in Dunhuang, Gansu province. They were allright, although the fact that I only had a Chinese guide didn't help my understanding of the history much. I got up late, went to the caves, then bascially came back, packed up, and caught my minibus to the Liuyuan train station, from which I caught my train to Turpan, Xinjiang. In the mini-bus, I met two other foreigners, Miles, an American, and Saskia (sp?), from Germany. So, as of now, we've been traveling together, though our paths will split tomorrow. Getting to Turpan -- Unfortunatly, there were only upper-bunks on my train, but it turned out not to be all that bad, and I actually got a half-decent night's sleep. The train was ... read more

After I finished the last post, i went down to the "night market" and had some dinner of chuanr (kabobs) and some bread, walked around some more, and came across this group of kids in front of a Dico's (Chinese KFC) dancing to this music. It was really funny, just watching them, and I got some pictures as well. Went back to the hotel, took a shower, helped out some Americans who were trying to communicate with the hotel staff, then went up to bed to chill, and relax. Turns out, the chuanr (i think) was a bad idea, so I wake up at 12ish with stomach issues, and 4 immodium later, I got a halfway decent night of sleep. Woke up at 5:15 to catch my train out of Jiayuguan to Dunhuang. The train ride ... read more

Okay, well now I'm writing about stuff that actually happened today. Got off the train at 7:30, and went directly to a hotel suggested by god (remember, the travel book), and got the cheapest room, for 80 kuai. It has 3 beds, and no bathroom, that is down the hall, and the shower's on the floor below. I think I could have found somewhere cheaper, so I'll try for cheaper places in the upcoming days. I took a shower, and it was only 9:30, so decided to take a nap, as the last 2 nights of sleep were not up to par. After the 1.5 hour nap, I got up, reorganized my things a bit, and set off to find a bike to rent to get to the Ming Dynasty fort of Jiayuguan. Was a little ... read more

Writing this a day late, while I'm in Jiayuguan, but will do my best to remember what went on. Beijng: Woke up really early, as in 4:45, and was amazed how light it was out that early, quickly packed up my things, had breakfast, and embarresingly left a bag of milky-cornflakes on the table. I know, it sounds weird, but I had a bowl of cereal, didn't finish it (probably had to do with the fact that I was nervous about leaving) and decided to just put the leftover 'flakes in a bag, then pitch it on my way out the door. Now, I know, "Why didn't you just throw it in the trashcan in the kitchen??!", well, my friend, you have obviously not lived with a Chinese family, where wasting (langfei) is the 8th deadly ... read more