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Let’s see, I’ve probably gotten to sit down in my office…maybe MAYBE…3 times in 4 months. Well, here you go!

I probably talk way too much about the potty on this blog…but when it’s the only, daily, regular occurrence…the only thing that can pretty much be expected…I mean, come on…what do you expect? I can count on potty breaks more than I can on food or a place to sleep. Shit!

I even took a few jumps off some…I already had sand everywhere, so why not?

Everyone seems to be under the impression I am Russian. I have nothing against Russians but in China, random Russian women walking about are stereotyped as prostitutes.

So, I don’t know if I’m getting denied cheap places to stay because I’m a foreigner or they think I’m a foreign prostitute.

Either way. Today was fantastic coming West along 315, after sleeping in the desert for the past 2 nights.

The sun was shining brightly and 50km East of Qarqan I entered small Uyghur villages. It’s March 1st and they have begun to till the fields.

A mother was washing laundry with her little boy standing next to her, the sun bouncing around his sequin embroidered hat. A group of 3 women kneeding naan dough around the outside oven, their white head scarves dancing in the wind. A simple hello and the blank stares go to smiles and even a few “ooOOoohs” from some older women.

Yesterday, it was overcast and even was granted a few raindrops on me. I watched the grey clouds go from North to South. It was good because it prevented additional sunburn, as my face and skin is so damaged right now. The corner of my lips broken and cracked, my nose so raw and sore, deep creases in my forehead.

I’ve got 19 days to get to the border.

Loving most things I find in nature…the sticky bush is one I dislike. Especially, when our initial greeting a week ago was when he snuck into my little girl’s room at camp. Sticky bush!!! Keep your thorns to yourself…

But, Mr. Sticky is great for cleaning your fingernails. Just keep it away from those tires, and socks, and shoes…and panties!

(I’m specifically talking to you ‘Merica!)

For many many many reasons. But when you can sit at a restaurant and chat up the boss man for awhile…you leave with a full belly and a FREE meal! He was very kind and it’s happened before…but not that often from the actual owner.

I’m not sure whats going to happen when I tour Central Asia and can’t turn on my Mandarin speaking charm.

Route 218 is mostly Han, but EVERYONE is so fantastically kind. Beyond kind…unbelievable. The owner’s of my zhusu…the man is Uyghur and the woman in Han. Excellent! World Peace!

Winter gear…you’re going to the post office tomorrow…so I can zooooom through the Taklamakan!

“How cheap can I be?” (Fair weather/no snow means camping)

Which could also loosely be translated to: “How dirty/stinky/unbearable to be around can I become?” or “Where’s the cheapest bowl of noodles?” or “How well can I haggle.” I’ve become a real smart ass when haggling, that started around last summer. “Better to be a smart ass than a dumb ass.”

So, here I go…to Kashgar. I may make a ride through the desert to get to Hotan first. We will see where the wind takes me.

March 19th, exiting China. May?, returning into Xinjiang.

Current tunes: Creedence Clearwater Revival

I should be starting a “Get E a laser/skin resurfacing treatment fund”. Christ!

I’ve been wearing ski goggles for the past two days.

Last night I had to sleep on my back because I couldn’t breathe. I swore my eyes felt like there was cotton stuffed in the sockets.

Get to the bingguan, look in the mirror…and all I can hear is Brandon saying, “Good morning puffy eyed bitch.” Yeah, but I’ve been awake for a good 5 hours. My eyes are so PUFFY! Like, I want to snuggle up with them because they look so puffy and comfortable.

And…I remembered this dream I had. Someone was trying to steal my shoe. And I was fumbling through the tent opening trying to hold onto my boot. It was one of those dreams where you can’t scream, no matter how hard you try.

Then, I remember letting out some faint screams in my dream and then my dumb ass woke myself up…from lame screaming! Ha…what a doofus. Only in the desert, right?