I awoke around 8 am to hearing the praying of men and feeling a little Earthquake. Just a itty bitty one…comparable to the ones I feel a lot when I’m in Taiwan.
On the edge of Hotan the sky cleared and it was the first blue sky I’d seen in 5 days. I knew it was going to be a good one…and it was. (I’m posting from my tent now.)
A Uyghur family pulled up to me on their motorcycle and asked where I was going. The husband seemed to have been very impressed by my bike.
There was green grass beginning to grow in the fields and I told myself I would ride with a smile and “hellos” today.
Women were working the fields and after my wave and hello, I even heard them giggle as they watched me ride by.
Down a dusty road I saw about 15 little girls with their colorful head scarves. They eventually noticed me and I shouted hello and waved across the orchard. I was replied with girlish laughter and “hellos”.
Men were repairing their thatched roofs or washing their feet after doing their own daily duties.
It was one of THOSE DAYS. You know…when it feels just so damn good to be out there.
And then look who I ran into! The cycling gods are playing nasty tricks on me by sending me cute English cyclists going in the OTHER direction. 3 in 3 days…you’ve got to be kidding me! www.thecyclediaries.com
I told them my mushroom joke..they thought it was as awful as the last person I shared it with. Great!
While we hung out for a little while, I noticed how much company we got from the local Uyghur men. It was the most I’ve experience yet. Them just pulling up to watch us chat…with pretty big smiles stretched across their faces.
After we part ways, one of the motorbikes followed me and offered me a bag of fruit. I need to make up some mileage so I kindly refused and kept on my way.
Unfortunately the night did not end so great. Lady time arrived and I was doing half-ass’d laundry next to my tent and then drop my stove in the sand. It was one of THOSE NIGHTS.
Eleanor-
I enjoyed reading your blog, photos and video. Happy International Women’s Day! from a woman across the world who thinks you’ve incredibly brave in your travels and honesty, and that you’re also being too hard on yourself. Give yourself some love and recognition for what you’ve been able to accomplish. Your images are beautiful, and you are far out of your comfort zone, but still working it. I am in awe. I will continue to check in on your blog as you travel. Have a wonderful day, and keep smiling and saying hello.
best wishes,
Diane
Thanks Diane…I know I’m too hard on myself. It’s one of my “issues” 😉
Eleanor-
I enjoyed reading your blog, photos and video. Happy International Women’s Day! from a woman across the world who thinks you’ve incredibly brave in your travels and honesty, and that you’re also being too hard on yourself. Give yourself some love and recognition for what you’ve been able to accomplish. Your images are beautiful, and you are far out of your comfort zone, but still working it. I am in awe. I will continue to check in on your blog as you travel. Have a wonderful day, and keep smiling and saying hello.
best wishes,
Diane
Thanks Diane…I know I’m too hard on myself. It’s one of my “issues” 😉