Day of Firsts

So have been traveling again. I know, I know, that's nothing new. But I did have a day of firsts recently. Was headed into an unknown town, going to visit an unknown church of all potential new friends who were still unmet at that point. I had anticipated an evening service, but was informed that there was an 3pm service instead. The bus I was to catch from the nearby town wouldn't arrive until 220pm. And public transportation would have taken me almost an hour to reach said church. So....

Figured I could take a taxi.... then I thought, what about Uber? It's no different than a taxi and though there are those skeptics out there who say it's unsafe, I decided to give it a try. At least with Uber, you can track your progress and see where you are at all times on your phone. With a taxi, you are also riding with a stranger, but with no way to tell where you are going. Believe me, I've been in some cabs and wondered where in the world I was being taken. (not knowing the city or having data on your phone can cause you to wonder) 

So I am here to tell you I survived, and I made it to my destination in once piece. And only 3 minutes late instead of 20. And I had a nice chat with my driver, who wasn't even actually from the country I was visiting. 

As for the other first- I've always wanted to try out staying in a hostel. Guess it was just that time. I had a bus out of town early the next morning, so I wanted a place nearby the bus station. Looked at several Airbnb places, then checked hostels. Found one less than a 5 minute walk from the station and it was only $18 for the night. 

Yes, I stayed in a hostel. And I did have a roommate. But she was a nice German University student. It was a little run down and the mattress was a bit lumpy, but the sheets were clean. Just a tad different than the last time I shared a room with a complete stranger (complete stranger means I had absolutely no connection whatsoever, no friend of a friend, etc.)- at least that time, I was in a 5* hotel! 

So again- I survived. And actually got good sleep. Not sure if I'll do it again any time soon, but who knows!?

view from a new friend's house

tiny sink at the hostel

view from the front door of hostel

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