Tianchi

Out of everywhere we've been, we expected Tianchi, a picturesque
mountain lake only two hours from Urumqi, to be the most touristy.
Although we did see overflowing parking lots and tourist busses, we
also managed to get away from it all and enjoy one of the most relaxed
hikes of our trip. AND we got to meet some really cute little kids.
Really, really cute.

The lake was so unbelievably blue that Lily couldn't resist jumping
in. She is immune to all differences of temperature and thus didn't
notice that the lake was also unbelievably cold. Freezing! I was
sitting onshore, feeling like a dry wimp, when two little girls
waltzed up and wanted to hang out. I was off the hook when it came to
getting in the freezing water (well, for 24 hours, anyway). Victory!



Pretty soon, the little girls were doing Lily's and my hair. This
lasted at least an hour. They were very serious about it, constantly
barking at us to hold sections of hair and taking turns with Lily's
brush. The knots they put in my hair were pretty serious, too--Lily
finally gave up and yanked a hairtie out. Ouch!

After that afternoon, the little girls, both five years old, were our
friends. They brought us wildflowers, sang us songs, and did our hair
whenever they could get us to sit still for more than two seconds.
They absolutely loved Ring Around the Rosy, which Lily geniously
thought to teach them.

When we weren't playing guinea pigs to the girls, we went horseback
riding and hiking in the mountains around the lake. Good hiking and
good company (and awesome views)? What more can I ask for?