An Ode to China

So Western China is a bit like the N0rthwest of Western Australia. Desert, a whole lot of space, plenty of sunshine, not much water and an interesting mix of people. Kashgar is one of those places where there is just enough happenening to keep things interesting, but not too much to stress you out. Where the towns big enough that you don't have to eat at the same place every night, but small enough that you know where to go to grab a good feed.

After a week of chilling out in K-town, waiting for my Kyrgyzstani visa to begin, its finally time to head off. This part of the country is so different from my preconceptions of China that its hard to believe its the same country. The fusion of East and Far East that occurs here is nothing short of fantastic.

The most memorable moments of Kashgar:
1- Fresh figs, fresh grapes, fresh pomegranates and peaches. all in season!
2- Uyghur people looking very Tajiki, and speaking great Mandarin
3- Han people looking very Chinese, speaking graet Uyghur
4- Watching people savour the oddest parts of the animal (ie. feet, cheeks, ears and intestines) as if they were caviar
5- Walking through the small streets of the old town, trying to no avail to see through closed doors with my non-existent x-ray vision to find out what the houses look like!
6- Kebabs and fresh bread in the street.

Finally I'll be pedalling into Central Asia proper, in a way crossing into Kyrgyzstan feels like the journey is starting now for real!