Okay, lets get back to bicycles, China, and touring…enough with the boys. But, I’m warning you, you may be seeing some revisits from Ryan, my new touring partner. Perhaps even a guest post.
I wake to a lot of snow, and it’s near silent outside. Procrastinating, I stare at the walls a little more and drink my instant coffee, along with plugging into my “mp san”.
I’ve noticed with some of my self portraits I get this look in my eyes. Kind of wonky, kind of dazed, kind of empty…I’ve seen it other solo traveler’s eyes too. I probably didn’t have a lot going on in my head that morning except my task list. Bathroom, Brush teeth, Load, Ride, Find home, Eat, Sleep.
OR…it could be the “Photographer Lazy Eye” catching up with me. I try not to squint the left eye so much, rather keep both open. Super bad habit.
The day looked like this while going through many towns and farm villages. Have you ever done a 180 turn on your fully loaded bike? I have…and didn’t eat shit…all 6 or so times.
I was hoping to continue South towards the base of the Tianshan mountain but the road was unavailable to ride with a bike.
After the missed turn off, I went downhill all the way to QiTai Zhen.
Found zhusu.
Okay. So, ladies, please take note. I have always paid more for zhusu than my male counterparts. There is a reason. The dorm rooms, the men get put with local men. Laobanniang confirmed, again with many others, that it’s not safe for me to stay in the cheaper rooms. This is one downfall of being a woman, or traveling alone. When Brandon and I were touring, I saved a lot of money by splitting the cost of a 2 bed room. I have to pay for the entire 2 bed room…unless it’s pretty slow (no customers)…but I’ll still pay around 30 for a 6 bed room to myself. They refuse to put men in the room with me.
I do not stay next to bus stations unless I have a buddy. (Another rule for you ladies – stay away from the bus/train stations…it is ALWAYS trouble.) Besides, there was no laoban there even after screaming “ni hao, laoban?” a few times. I paid over 50 but under a 100…oh well, the night before was 15. My days are usually under my budget of 60rmb/day…easily.