Karakul Lake

Offers for lodging began as soon as we arrived at Karakul Lake. We barely had time to take in the snow-capped mountains around the lake before a deluge of people began offering "Kyrgyz yurt, good price." We refused the first few in order to get an idea of the going rate but finally agreed to take a look at one yurt because the salesman followed us for five mintues making offers.

Something seemed off about the salesman from the beginning, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Only when we were inside the yurt and he had taken off the hat and mask that protected his face from the sun did I realize how young he was: just 15 years old. Without realizing it, we had stepped right into a Kyrgyz family. He introduced us to his mother and 5-year-old brother. We didn't meet the father until later, when all four of them joined us to sleep in the single, circular room that comprised their home.

Xinjiang Time

All of China runs on one big timezone, which means that in the Western province of Xinjiang, the days' activities often don't start until noon and daylight lasts until 10pm. That pretty much sums up life here:it's the same country as the Eastern areas I've visited but offset, different. 

Lily and I flew into the Western metropolis of Urumqi and then caught a bus to Turpan, a small town a few hours south. There, we visited beautiful old adobe villages and mosques that belong to the Uighers, the majority ethnic group in this province. We also biked through China's wine country. That's right, wine country. I told you it was weird.

After Turpan, we headed for Kanas Lake, a nature reserve wedged into the intersection between China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. Even on the overnight bus trip North, I knew we were going to like this place: I could see a blanket of stars out my window, a rarity in China.

The lake itself is a magent for Chinese tourists, but they are so unwilling to step off of the pavement that an hours' walk from the tourist center yielded a location that felt remote. We found beds at a Kazakh family lodge and spent our first afternoon visiting the lake. I've never seen such blue water!

Back in the Running

I've been back in Hong Kong all of June and July, after a busy May in China. Life is pretty quiet on Lantau Island, but I'm enjoying the chance to be in one place for two months in a row (what a concept!) and relax for awhile.

And by relax, I mean run. Because, what's more relaxing than sweating, breathing hard, and chafing?!

After I graduated, I took on a run because it's fun philosophy. I enjoyed summer runs with a great group of Philmont people and had a good time exploring the karst scenery on sporadic jaunts in the fall, but I never logged my mileage or had a goal in mind. I just ran because I enjoyed it and gave me a time to think.

Back on the Mainland!

I like being in Hong Kong. Almost everyone speaks English. My apartment is a short walk from a beautiful beach, complete with lifeguards and little old ladies who pick up all litter (including fallen leaves, which probably shouldn't count). Better yet, I'm a two-minute run from trails and places that have "mountain" in their names. Anyone who wants to visit is more than welcome.

You know what, though? I'm so glad to be back in Mainland China. As soon as we had crossed the border and made it to the dining car of our train, I was hooked.

Long time, no post.

It's been ages since I last posted and I'm pretty sure that, at this point, my only reader is my Uncle Tom. But since it's his birthday (Happy birthday Tom!), this is probably a good time to get back to writing.

The rest of my hike in Nepal was great. Alison and I had a great time hiking and made it up to Everest Base Camp and then over Cho La (a big, bad pass complete with a glacier) to the Gokyo Valley, which might be the prettiest place I've ever been. Check out the pictures here.

When we weren't hiking, Alison and I spent a lot of time reading, eating potatoes, and talking about life. It was wonderful to see her and I couldn't have asked for a better hiking companion! Off the trail, we had a great time hanging out with my cousin Katherine, who is working as a teacher in Kathmandu this spring. In summary: great friends + great scenery = awesome trip.

Since then, I've been doing more office work in Hong Kong and occasionally breaking up the daily grind with outdoor trips on a couple of Hong Kong's outlying islands. And a weekend visit from my friend Chessie who lives in Beijing! And some delicious rice cooker banana bread! Things have been going pretty well.

Namaste from Namche!

I've always had mixed feelings about technology in the mountains, but since there is internet here at Namche Bazaar (the tourist hub of the Everest Region), I can't resist posting an update.

Alison and I have been having a blast here in the Everest Region of Nepal! Our trip started with a bumpy day-long bus ride to the town of Shivalaya. We've made friends with the handful of other westerners on the same hike, but it's mostly been just us, the countryside, and the locals. We stay in cozy guest houses every night and eat lots of momos (filled rolls), which we wash down with piping hot milk tea.

The scenery is amazing! It feels like something out of Lord of the Rings, and not just because I've been rereading the Hobbit. We see snow-capped mountains around every turn, and even the lower hills that we hike in have an amazing scale. It seems like miles to the bottom of these valleys!

Kathmandu!

I've been in Nepal less than 24 hours and I already love it! In fact, I was loving it as soon as I got onto my Royal Nepal Airlines flight and realized that dinner included not only a chocolate mousse--complete with dessert spoon--but also a complimentary glass of wine.

Ever since Katherine picked me up from the airport last night, I've been having a great time wandering around Kathmandu with her and Alison. The area we're staying in has about a million gear stores, as well as some good book stores (the best I've seen in Asia. It's ridiculous). We spent the day buying last minute supplies for our trek and having great conversations over glasses of Lassie, a fantastic yogurt drink.

Tomorrow, we catch a bus to Shivalaya, the gateway to our 25-day Himalayan adventure. Everest Base Camp, here we come! Talk to you in a few weeks!