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.