Blogging Status

Now that I'm home, I'll have some time ( I hope) to go back and fill in some stories that I didn't have time for before. Check back from time to time and I'll update on future travels and my life plans. Right now, the main focus is on the 4th of July and some Long Island Iced Teas. Yum!

How do you measure a year?

Today I left China. Don’t know when or if I’ll be back, in what capacity, but I am glad that I was there for the past year. I doubted that fact on occasion, that it was good for me. Especially on the days when I was super homesick or when it was Christmas or someone’s birthday. I’ve been close to my friends and family, never lived outside of North Dakota (minus that brief stint in EGF last year), and never strayed to far from home.

Why China? That’s the country that presented me the opportunity. I will always follow what is going on with China as I now have a personal connection to the people and its future. Will I go back? It would be easier than when I moved there a year ago, but unless something comes up, I do not plan to go back to China in the near future. This doesn’t mean that things won’t change tomorrow and I’ll be heading back to Shanghai. I will be back in the US for the month of July and part of August guaranteed.

During my time in China I’ve seen and done some incredible things. Tibet, the F1 Race on the new Shanghai course, spending the night on the street, facing curious stares and shouts everyday, seeing the stars at Mt. Everest, climbing the Great Wall, frustrations and successes in learning Chinese, making friends from all over the world.

You know what you’re going to see, but nothing prepares you for it.

Not yet home…

Not one to turn down opportunity when it knocks; tonight is a night in Tokyo or rather Narita as I don’t intend on going into the city. The last week has been taxing and I have a soft king bed at my disposal. Can you blame me? Going from box spring to pillow top in a few hours and make some money doing it.

The strangest thing about the whole deal is that I’ll be in Japan for over 24 hours and not hold any local currency. Credit cards and free room and board do wonders. I may have to get some sort of souvenir as I have officially visited Japan, but we’ll see. I saw some Karate Kid-type headbands in the airport that look appealing.

It's getting harder and harder to breathe....

So here's the scoop, I'm now in Tibet. The first stop on this sojourn is the capital, Lhasa. I will admit that I was expecting it to look a bit different but the city is still powerful no matter what way you cut it. The initial traveling was a bit rough as Graham and I left Shanghai. For some reason that no one could or would tell us, our plane was going to be delayed. How long? They didn't know. When can we check back to see the time? They couldn't tell us. It was decided that this wasn't anything that a long island iced tea couldn't fix. I called the tour agent and our third travel partner Hunter and got everything straightened out. We arrived into Chengdu around 1am and my head finally hit the pillow at 2am. That was just long enough for a cat nap as I had to get up at 5am, and we were back on our way to the airport by 6am. Can some one say a little travel delirious? We touched down in Lhasa and were met by our guide who is Tibetan.

Now a word of advice: When you go from sea level elevation to 3550m, it is wise to relax and not do to many things on the first day. I'm glad I heeded this advice otherwise I would have been in a world of hurt. All three of us took a nap until 2pm and headed out to eat around 3pm. We had a ton of good food for cheap (guess that runs all over China) and Graham was introduced to his newfound love; Yak. For the past couple of days this kid has gone crazy for the stuff. I guess there are worse infatuations and it does make for some pretty good material.

We've seen the major points of Lhasa including the Potala Palace (seat of government before 1959), The Jokhang (the holiest place in Tibet that is conveniently located outside our hotel), the Barkor circuit (runs around the Jokhang and it's pretty wild to see all these pilgrims doing their thing), along with a few monasteries. Tomorrow we leave for Shigatse on our way to Everest Base camp. Elevation for base camp is 5200m and I'm hoping to be able to catch my breath long enough to get a few photos.

Onward and upward never had such an entertaining meaning as they do this week...
See you when I get back to Shanghai and then back Stateside on June 29. Where has the time gone?

Coming up for air...

No I have not forgotten you, my loyal blog fans. (all 4 of you ;) The past two weeks have had me going non stop, but not that it will let up soon as I am replacing work for traveling. I'm aiming for a proper update in the next few days.

In travel news, Sarah and Graham will be arriving on Saturday and will be doing things in and around the Shanghai area.

After a week on the east coast, Graham, Hunter (a fellow UND-ite) and myself will be heading west to Tibet. So excited, you have no idea. I've been saying it for so long and now it will finally become a reality. WOWza!