Multipost

December 2, 2006

Looks like I wont be able to upload this post on time, as there is no internet where I am. Well, there is alot to say, but I want to keep this short. We'll see how I do. So this morning I took a bus from the beautiful Jiu Zhai Gou to a place called SongPan. Its a really interesting little place that is nestled in the mountains. SongPan was a fortified post in the past, soall around the city, there is a big wall. Very castle like. When I arrived, I was looking fora specific hostel, which apparently doesnt exist, so I just ended up staying at a hostel across the street from the bus station. I was really looking forward to a shower, but alas, 'twas not meant to be. The water in this town is spotty, at best. Sometimes its there, and sometimes it isnt. Kind of a shitty situation. SOmetimes, I cant even get the toilet to flush. I fugure that its because the water freezesin the pipes. Yeah, its pretty cold here. So when I couldnt take a shower, I decided to wander the streets a bit. Its so cold here, that my wandering was litterally determined by where the sun was shining. It is a huge temperature difference in the shade, as compared to the sunlight. I took a bunch of photos, and decided that there wasnt that much to do. Icould go horse trekking, but that would require 3-4 days and a lot of camping in the snow. Ill pass. I dont want to use the time for that, and I dont particularly feel like camping in the snow. Plus, its like 500 yuan. Sure its only 80 bucks, but those 80 bucks go a long way here (Ive actually started thinking in terms of yuan now. I dont convert to dollars anymore. I am really gonna miss china...). So I got a Tibetan Massage, which is awesome. It hurts a little in the process, but you feel renewed afterwards. After the masage, I wandered a bit more, which let me to some interesting little streets, but I was really not feeling this place. But then I saw this temple on top of a hill. I went back to the massage place and asked if it was possible to go up there. I was told that it was, and I was shown the bottom of the path that led to the temple. I had to climb about 2000 ft, in the snow and mud. Good times. After an exhausting hike, I got there, took some photos, and made my way back down. What more can I say about it? It was real perty. Went down, and hung out with my new friends at the massage place. I was helping the lady with some English, and eventually, when dinner time rolled about, I was offered to eat with them. After dinner, I went back to my hostel, and decided that I needed to shower, regardless of the water problem. I took off my clothes, was down to my boxers, and then the power went out. After a fair amount of flailing in the dark, I found my flashlight, got dressed, and decided I was not going to shower here. Went downstairs, walked outside and went to find my friends from the massage parlour. They invited me to go have tea with them, so I did. Lights came on again about 20 minutes later, but by then, I was having a 5 fruit tea. Super sweet stuff. Too sweet for my pallet. Sat around 'till about midnight, then went back to my hostel. The door to my hostel was closed, and thats when I realized that I had left my key in the room, amidst the darkness. I tried knocking, and shouting to no avail, so I walked around looking for another hostel. Found one after a while, slept there, woke up, and made my way back to my hostel. By then, I had already missed the bus to ChengDu, which leaves at 6am, so here I am in SongPan for yet another day. Anyway, here is the photo. Enjoy.


Gate

December 3, 2006

Spent the day with some friends I made in SongPan. Not much to speak about, per say, but I did see a really strange vegetable or fruit. Not sure. Didnt take many photos. Just sat around and talked for a while, went shopping, prepared for the bus ride tommorow. Went to a brothel, and had a very good time with the ladies there. I sat and had tea and sunflower seeds with them. Thats all that happened. I swear. Actually, they were really nice ladies, and I was just curious to see the inside of a brothel. I was taken there by one of my SongPan friends. Didnt feel right to take any photos there, but the ages ranged from 16 to 35ish. Price? 150 RMB (about 20 bucks). It was really interesting. It was odd how everyone was so open about it. Afterwards, I went to bed. ALONE. Anyway, here is the photo. Enjoy.


Family and Friends

December 4, 2006

Long bus ride makes me tired. Internet no work in ChengDu. Bus took 10 hours. Many people vomit on bus. No fun. Not many photos today, as I didnt want to take show off my camera. Here is one anyway. Enjoy.


Rickshaw