Imagine being awakened by a 6.6 earthquake and having to play Super Mario Cart between
[stationary] Fiat-sized boulders on the road and negotiate detours around
washed out bridges. Imagine standing on a windy hill at the edge of a massive
thunderstorm with thunder rolling loudly all around. Imagine sampling "horse milk wine" in a yurt, and eating more mutton
in two weeks than you'd eaten in the previous 20 years combined. Imagine that all of this happens in the space of a couple of weeks......because it did.
We had the opportunity to explore the northern part of Xinjiang, China, (北疆） with a small tour group. The trip started in the most landlocked city in the world, Ürümqi 烏魯木齊. From there, we traveled all the way to within a few dozen kilometers of the point where China, Mongolia, Russia and Kazakhstan converge. We followed the border of Kazakhstan all the way down to Kyrghystan, eventually looping back and threading the passes to Ürümqi.
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| Xinjiang Autonomous Region |
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| Ürümqi |
The whole trip took 15 days and was an incomparable
adventure. We met people of Mongolian heritage, Uyghurs, Kazakhs and
many different veins of Chinese. Signs were written in two, three, and
sometimes four different languages, each with its own script or
characters.
But the most amazing part of this experience was the connection we felt with the people and the places. As Mark climbed up the slope across from the massive granite dome of 神鐘山 Bell Rock, he thought: "this is my backyard." Ping's bright smile and curiosity opened doors with all kinds of people. We had wonderful exchanges with children and adults of all ages and backgrounds. Several times we entered areas where foreigners were not allowed. Thanks to Mark's Chinese name (寇馬克) and his marriage to Ping, he was allowed in. Our jeep driver, 小馬 Xiao Ma, declared: "You came to Xinjiang; that makes you my brother." Mark called him 弟弟 （Didi: Little Brother).
Despite the political issues and arbitrary restrictions, there really are no borders in this world. There are no distinctions.
There are differences, yes, but that's all. We're human. We live on Earth. We are global citizens, all of us.
No matter where we go, we're always coming home. Welcome home.
Fascinating reading. What's the kind of food people eat here - meat, vegetables, processed food?
ReplyDeleteIn Xinjiang, they eat more meat than vegetables, which was a bit difficult for the Taiwanese group, so our guides always requested extra veggies. There are grocery stores in various areas, so they can get processed food--including U.S. brand name things like Oreo Cookies and Lays Potato Chips--but most people eat very simply. Some areas have AWESOME noodle makers and others are known for their pastries. Rice is uncommon but wheat is everywhere. The food is mostly very salty, spicy and greasy, which they believe their bodies need to function in their environment. Thanks for asking! --Mark & Ping
ReplyDeleteI hate to sound so repetitive, but... wow! Again!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful to see your pics and read your descriptions of the sights, sounds, feelings, and tastes of these travels.
Thank you once more for continuing to compose this stuff. You are never far from my thoughts or love.
- Js.
Thanks, Jim. We always appreciate hearing this! Love, --Mark and Ping
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