updat-erino!

So, its been a while, and lots has happened!!!

i shall appologize in advance, for the lack of photos...the last place we couldnt upload, and we've found this MASSIVE internet cafe now, where we can (but i dont have my stuff with me). I thought it'd be best to drop a line, and hopefully make it back tomorrow to post some pics!

I left y'all after the great wall (oh how i loved it!) From there we did some sight seeing around beijing. We went to the Lama temple (it was massive, tons of buildings, beautifully decorated...) and we happened to go at a time when the monks were having a service in one of the main buildings. It was so cool to hear their chants. From there, i went to another temple (confuscious temple i think its called.) Also nice, although much smaller than lama temple.

We also went to see tiennamen square, and the moseleeum (not sure how to spell those) that houses the body of Chairman MAO (and old ruler of china, that, in 1949 made china the PEOPLES republic of china as opposed to being under the rule of an emperor. So, he died about 30 years ago, and the people decided to preserve his body, so they can pay tribute to their great leader. (kind of creepy i think, but apparently he's a big deal).

Forbidden city, a MASSIVE (i think it was 2kms?!) property that was just for the emperor! There are entrance gates upon entrance gates, and tons of bulidings. It really was the most rediculous place i have ever seen for one man. So much space, and so many separate bulidings. There was actually a building before the GREAT buliding where he would change his attire before getting to the main building. He, whoever the emperor was at the time, would live in the forbidden city with his wife, and however many conqubines he required. One emperor lived there, with his wife and had 3000 conqubines (who ALL lived here as well, in small dormatory like housing). Rediculous. but beautiful!!

We left beijing for a 23 hour train ride to a small SMALL town called Zhong Wei. The train was okay, rather uneventful. There were 6 beds in a small sleeper car (without a door.) 5 of us in there were from the group, and there was an elderly lady with a small child (5 years old) in the last bunk. We tried talking to them but communication, as usual, was a major issue. It was a long ride, but we kept busy. Playing lots of cards!

We got to Zhong Wei, and it was COLD AND RAINY. they said it'd been raining for the past 4 days-- so it looked like it was bound to continue. We, that afternoon went for a 1 hour drive through mud roads to a goatskin raft down the yellow river. Sound interesting right?!!? well, it was more interesting than we could have imagined. we thought maybe the goats were skinned, and we'd sit on the hydes on this raft...but oh no. There were 15 goats, no heads, and legs amputated, inflated and tied with twine. Then some bamboo rods to sit on. Kind of gross, but what an experience. Literally a GOAT BOAT. A few of the girls were kind of grossed out, but i just kept saying 'goat boat goat boat!'.

The next day, we got up, a very COLD morning (BUT NO RAIN thank the heavens!) and i put on every layer i had (which, wasnt enough-- i did NOT plan on the frigid temperatures, and left 2 pair of pants at my sisters). We then drove for half an hour into the dessert. (tennenger dessert i think). We were then greated by 16 camels!!!!! they all had 2 humps. We got on the camels, and rode for about 4 hours (SORE BUMS, and legs is an understatement) into the heart of the dessert. There we pitched tents and had a massive campfire. My camels name was tiny, cause she was the smallest. Some people came up with great names. Ryan (after one of the girls boyfriends), shagella porkswell (one of the guys named his camel this), howard, no-nam-eh (cause the poor camel wasnt named), lesbia (again, one of the guys)..just to name a few... So, the rain held off, but it was the coldest worst sleep ever. i just couldnt get warm. Got up in the morning and got back on our camels, and rode for about an hour and a half back to the van.....

from zhong wei, took an 11 hour train ride to Xi'an..where we are now. Got here this morning around 11am, and settled in the hotel (nicest one yet). They have tons of market-ey streets here, and we mostly did shopping today.

Tomorrow we are going taracotta warriors! definitely looking forward to that!!

Barb asked me to give 5 words to describe my trip so far, so i thought i'd answer her on here. They would have to be: Exciting (the sights), friendly (the group), tired (of the food), enjoyable (everything) and variety (so much to see and do!)

thats all for now, and as i said, hopefully i will be back to upload pics of some of those things i've mentioned...so until then, signing off..
m.