Well, I arrived in Chengdu around 9pm last night via bus from The Big Buddha. Man, it has been RAAAAAINNNING!!! Nonstop rain; day and night! I am trying to go north as fast as possible to escape it. Apprently Sichuan Province is always like this in Summer. Thats fine, but this is just too much rain! I have been keeping pretty dry except for my feet. I am wearing flip flops today but been walking around the city mostly barefoot. $2 flipflops are not so comfortable... Anway, no more complaining. My hotel last night was good, clean, and comfortable. Had some trouble last night as all hostels were booked up. Very annoying! One hostel said, "you can sleep in the bar its not bad!" Me, "No thanks." I got my things dried out and hung up ... read more

All great journeys have to begin with excellent preparation. I have packed my bag a day in advance, removing non-essentials, adding some hopefully essentials, bought my train tickets, met with friends to bid farewell. All are important before setting off I feel. I am the expert of the weekend trip having perfected that working five days a week in Korea and only having the weekends to explore. A 20 liter bag with room for souviniers that could be packed in 20 minutes. But this will be my first real journey that will hopefully last the better part of two months away from home. I have my 42 liter bag (not stuffed but getting close) with all my gear. No idea about the weight but I wouldn't want to have it on for more than an hour ... read more