China
The Train to Lhasa
By Thomas on November 10, 2007 | No Comments »
We finally got our Lhasa permits and train tickets – Xining adieu!
After all the news reports and documentaries we had seen on TV about the new train line to Lhasa, we were very eager to get on the train and see it for ourselves. The whole train business could, after all, come to a sudden end. Scientists and engineers have predicted a bleak future for the train » Continue reading this post »
Rebecca and Jonathan
By Tony on November 9, 2007 | No Comments »
True adventurers at heart, Jon (British) and Becca (American) have set out to tackle the world by bicycle. The met each other while teaching English in Japan, which is where their bike tour started. After testing the waters biking in Japan, their thirst for adventure led them to China, where biking is much more of a challenge. » Continue reading this post »
North Fakes
By Tony on November 8, 2007 | 1 Comment »
After freezing our butts off in Sichuan and the Qinghai plateau, we realized that we had to get better clothes for Tibet. Luckily, there is a huge selection of fake brand names floating around Xining. If there is one thing China does well, it’s pirating goods and producing the best knock offs. I have purchased a complete North Face mountain climbing collection including a fantastic Goretex jacket ($35) that should keep me warm and toasty.
Is it as good as the real thing? Probably not. But in the States, I would have paid well over a thousand dollars for what I got here for around $100. At least the jacket should keep me warm. I’ll keep you updated on how the fakes hold up.
Spiritual Makeover
By Thomas on November 7, 2007 | 2 Comments »
Christine is only the second western Buddhist nun I have ever met. The first nun, who we met a couple of weeks ago at Dargye Gompa monastery, was a standoffish, German woman who had no interest in talking to us. Christine is different. She would always have a smile on her face and say hi when we passed each other in the hostel. This was my chance to talk to her and satisfy my curiosity about who she was, so I approached her to find out. » Continue reading this post »
Market Delights
By Thomas on November 6, 2007 | 1 Comment »
Waiting for someone to arrange our Tibet permits and train tickets is not so bad after all! Only a day after arriving in Xining, we discovered this amazing market place close to our hotel with all kinds of exciting treats. We’ve had a lot of very plain food lately, so finding this food market was a fantasy come true.
After exploring the market’s delights for a couple of days, we are now settling into an eating routine. Our day starts out with » Continue reading this post »
