Kashgar

The Silk Road. Largest Mosque in China. 2^nd largest Mao statue in the country. (in)Famous Sunday Bazaar. The Old City. 

Just a few of the things that make Kashgar, Xinjiang a magnificent city. We spent several days exploring and wandering the city. There is so much history contained in one little area of the world. Seeing the largest mosque and second largest statue of Mao is not something that I would say is exactly enjoyable. It is a part of the people’s lives, but a part that to me is sad. I couldn’t help but think of the blindness that surrounded me. Spiritual and political blindness.  Only the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life can open their eyes. Praise Him for the opportunities we had to spread His Word. 

largest mosque in china

My favorite part of Kashgar was wandering the streets of a part of the Old City. It was almost if I had walked back into the past. The streets and walls were all made of brick and mud – narrow, winding streets with ancient, wooden doors opening into a Uyghur home, where one would sit to munch on nuts, dates, fruit, nan and drink tea.

an old street - wonder whats around the corner?

Or a doorway would lead to a part of the house where a man was sitting in the floor maneuvering a pottery wheel, carving out simple, yet beautiful pots. And they used the simplest tools, such as a piece of wire and a broken off piece of wood to carve the designs. Amazing. These men were doing the same work their great-great-great grandfather had done years before. 

potter at work

trying on atlas -
once described as "material a rainbow threw up on"

A charming part of the city, yet many old sections are being torn down to make room for newer developments. Progress and future – is the Chinese way. No matter that one’s family has lived in that house for perhaps 200 years or more. 

I did enjoy a few of the more modern, developed attractions. The ferris wheel in the center of town was fun (and cheap). Also, after the ride above the city, we decided to have a little fun. Heehee Bumper Cars! I’ve always wanted to do it, but was never at a place where they had them. So, for less than $2, we had quite the time! Sorry, no pictures.

in the ferris wheel - overlooking the city

Kashgar was lots of fun…. Yes, even the Sunday Bazaar – which uh, was quite interesting. ;) But we had fun shopping. We bought many scarves, the brighter the color the better (or so they think) and matching skirts. In Uyghur culture, if you are good friends with someone then you wear the same outfits to show the world. Haha, completely different than back in America. 

mosque above the bazaar

Sleeper Buses

One of my most memorable, interesting times in Xinjiang most certainly would have to be riding a Sleeper Bus. Our 10 day trip around the desert and through the mountains included 3 different sleeper buses. Our first experience was the first night of the trip, when we set out from the province capital of Urumqi headed for Korla. We arrived at the bus station after dark – the ride was supposed to be an all-nighter. My first thought when I got thru the door of the bus and looked at the aisle of beds was “dirty.” 

first sleeper bus 

All the beds had sheets and a blanket on them just for your personal use. How nice and considerate of them! But I think they would have done well to wash them every once in a while. But honestly that first bus wasn’t too bad. I had a top bunk, which is a little difficult to get in and out of, especially when you have your backpack with you on an 18inch wide bed. But I managed and got situated. Just as I did, the driver came back and motioned for me to move up a bed. Ugh. So, down I went to move my stuff and do it all over again. Once the ride started, it wasn’t too bad. It sure is nice to lay down for a 10 hour bus ride instead of sitting up the entire time. I know my tailbone was thankful. So, after that first one, we thought “hey, this isn’t too bad, we can do that again.”

not so VIP inside

Then the next sleeper bus…… was a different story. This time was from Akisu to Kashgar, another 9 hour or so ride. This time we all had bottom beds. We all got onboard and started getting comfortable in our beds. Sheets and blankets were about the same…. But the difference was this slightly overwhelming odor. Mmmm…. At first Tim and I made jokes about the BO on the bus. Whew. But after a little bit, we realized it was actually feet smell. 

Do you know what’s worse than someone’s BO? 

10 people’s BO!

Do you know what’s worse than 10 people’s BO? 

The 20 feet that go with it! 

Yep, so the entire ride there was this insufferable stench to fill our nostrils. It wasn’t one of those smells that you get used to after a while and don’t realize. Nope, even with the AC blowing directly in my face for half the ride, the stink was constant. We were extremely grateful to arrive in Kashgar – even if it was at 2am. The walk from the station to the hotel was nice after that stinky bus. We laughed about it, but sure hope I don’t have to do another one of those! 

The 3^rd sleeper bus was a little nicer, which is why they made us pay more. But we all agreed that a little more cost was ok, if it insured that there would be no stinky feet smell. Walked on the bus and ah, no bad scent. So, we settled in for our….. 18 hour ride. That was our longest one. I slept for most of it, cause I was tired and what else do you do while on moving bus, while laying down and its dark outside? But the last couple hours were slightly (uh, very) uncomfortable. We hadn’t had a bathroom break in quite a few hours….. yep, uncomfortable. Actually, we did stop at one point that morning, but I was asleep and one of my wonderful traveling companions didn’t think to wake me! I told them “next time, wake me up!”

So, if any of you are thinking that your life is boring and nothing exciting ever happens to you. I suggest a Sleeper Bus! You never know who you might be sleeping next to or below. And all kinds of things could happen. Everyone should try it at some point in their life. I think it will make you a much more completed person. haha

Random lessons from Xinjiang

split pants are no accident

going out with wet hair gives the wrong impression

kissing another woman is just a greeting in some cultures

don't take pictures of the military

headscarves can be cute

always travel with your own supply of tp

5 persons on a motorcycle is very doable

sleeping on plywood isn't much different than a Chinese hotel bed

sheep fat is a forgotten element of the food pyramid

Asian music videos are worse than American ones

sleeper buses give a new definition to feet odor

tea eggs are actually tasty

the wilderness is cleaner than many marked "WC"s

one can hang from an electric line like its a normal afternoon activity and live to tell the tale

telling time is much more complicated than in other places
you can get high on peppers

bazaar crowds can be very invasive of personal space

it is possible to eat cereal with chopsticks

sleeper buses are like slumber parties

naan is awesome fresh, ok next day, eatable days old and a karate-choppable weeks old

mummies are still being discovered in the remote Pamir mountains ;)

tea cleans everything

3wheelers come in truck and mini van model

I Know!

In this life, it can be so easy to be discouraged and dismayed. At least for me, I find that I can go through several emotions all in the course of one day. I experience joy, sadness, peace, anger, happiness and discouragement all in a day's time. I have to remind myself that I am God's child and He Loves Me! 

So to remind myself, I was challenged to think of what I KNOW -

I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth! Job 19:25

I KNOW that God is for me! Psalm 56:9

I KNOW that my salvation is secure in Jesus Christ! Titus 2:11

I KNOW that God directs my steps and He has led me in this direction! Psalm 37:23

I KNOW that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! I John 4:4

I KNOW that God protects me and my life is in His hands! Psalm 118:6

One thing is sure and that is the Word of God. His Truth will last forever. 

When I get discouraged, I need to remind myself that He is with me and will never leave me. He is the same yesterday, and today and forever. :) 

Leave a comment with what encourages you when you're down. 

Well, that time has come and I am about to set out on another adventure. In a few short hours, I'll be boarding my flight plane of many. Soon, I'll be in the great continent of Asia. 

Ready or not, the time is here. 

I and my new traveling buddy are ready for this adventure! 

Next post will be from a different country! :p

Bruce the Moose ready to travel!