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Published: April 4th 2008
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For the ones of you that have read some of my other blogs from Hohhot...; The capital of Inner Mongolia has many spellings that are all right Huhehaote, Hohhot, Huhhot, you name it, they're all one and the same..... Just thought I'd tell you, don't want anyone to be confused now... I've recently bough an electric bike which is absolutely great! I'm so happy with the newly acquired freedom that every chance I've got (which basically means my days off) I drive it out the city to explore.
And therefore a new blog. I decided to record some of the cultural landmarks of Hohhot this time, and whatever else came along.
First I took my bike for a spin towards the east of the city, where the originally named ''East River'' lies, which basically serves as a border of the city. Although it seems not for long; brandnew and so I've heard, 'the most expensive'- appartments have been build here to accomodate the rich and able of Inner Mongolia.
From here I cruised towards the north. I was looking for a road that led into the mountains but didn't seem to find what I was looking for at
Coming from the airport.
Alongside the highway, this globe traveling horse will welcome you into the city. first. Did find the local zoo though which I hope to visit one of these days.
Ofcourse a fresh blog will be posted by the time I do.
Then more by chance than meaning I stumbled upon what I wanted to find; a road that went straight into the mountains.
Unfortunately in the case of an electric bike, you can't go too far without the bloody thing stopping, and then it's a bitch trying to get it back to where you want it, home. So decided to leave this exciting trip for some other day, and headed back into the city.
As you can see, life in Hohhot is all about important decisions that have to be made day in day out......
Like for example, will I open the windows in my appartment to 'freshen the air a bit', with an immediate effect of having to free the appartment of coal dust the next day, or will I keep them shut with the effect of having to breath the same air for at least the whole winter season..?
Or another; when crossing the street, am I going to wait for one of those rare occasions where you have an
actual chance of crossing the street without getting killed, or am I going to risk my life for the sake of it, and do as the locals do; JUST DO IT!
Oh, how life can be such a dilemma sometimes.........
The next day I went out again, this time with a friend. After lunch we headed into the direction of the mountains again where we tried to find a place to actually walk in to the mountains, but this seemed harder than I had thought.
On Google earth it seems that there are no fences, gates or any other ways to stop possible trespassers, but in real life things are slightly different. So we cycled back the way we came, and resorted to a bottle of wine instead....
It seems that in whichever direction I go, (haven't been much to the west yet though) there are new appartment and office blocks being built everywhere. What a contrast to England or other places in Europe that have problems with housing, students that can't find suitable accomodation in the city they chose to study in. Or young, just married couples that can't afford to buy a place for themselves.
In
China I had expected the same kind of housing problems, if not worse with its huge population.
But the opposite seems true; apparently there is too much housing available, I have been explained mainly due to rich investors that have it build, but then can't sell it, because they're too expensive for your regular Chinese.
So they're forced to sell them at bottom prices to ............yeah, to whom? I don't know to be honest.
Coming week my school organised a daytrip to some local sights, finally really getting out of the city. Can't wait.
Although my stupid ass lost another (expensive this time) camera, I hope to reveive some pics from friends for another blog.
Next pay I hope to buy a new camera......(one that's not
MADE IN CHINA.
See ya!
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Sideways
Amelie Liyun
Amazing photos!
Johannes: just need new camera comes soon! please, you should record more pictures! i wanna watch your new blogs! i saw my brother some pics form Africa, no builds, anything is nature, cute animals and pertty beach! nice! i realy wanna go there!