Another post from China. I can't really see what I've posted before because the site doesn't always come up right. But I hope it's making sense. =)

I'm in Datong now after having seen the hanging monastery caves of Youngang yesterday. Both amazing places! The caves have more than 51,000 Buddhist carvings in them...absolutely stunning to see.

I can't really describe all these things on the spot over internet. Once I collect my thoughts and have more time you will see more.

For now let me stick to the subject that has so entertained me for two years. Transportation!

We left Xi'an the other night on a sleeper bus to Pingyao. I didn't sleep much because it was crowded and I was concerned about pickpockets. Had heard they are common on the buses. It smelled and there were people all around my bed. Laura had the worst deal...her bed was in the middle of the bus. At least I had a wall. But the other passengers were pretty nice and there were no problems. The best part was when Laura woke me up at 4 am and said 'we're here.'

I got off the bus and said:

'But this is a toll booth.'

The porter was taking our luggage off the bus and we were a little confused and tried to tell him the guitar wasn't ours. That's when two New Zealanders came off and all was explained. They asked if town was close and the guy said 'kindof' i gather and pointed. They spoke a little Mandarin. So we treked a couple k until we saw the city walls of this ancient Ming town rise up in the mist. Stopped on a street corner to eat breakfast and Jeremy, a New Zealander, played guitar and we gathered another crowd of curious Chinese people. When it got light we went into town and found a hotel to stow our bags for the day (we weren't staying the night) and had tea and then wandered around.

Spent the day in Pingyao and headed out in the evening for Datong by what we thought was sleeper train. Get on and discover no no...we got standing only tickets. The train was otherwise sold out. Soooo....there we are in the hardseats section with a million Chinese around us sitting and laughing as we walk the length of the train once or twice trying to find the odd open seat. For a minute we found some space between two cars that I would have been happy to stay in. At least I had good view of all my bags and something to rest my back against.

As it turns out Chinese people are amazingly kind and must have thought the foreigners would never survive this way. Some teens gave up their seats for us. Jeremy had no problems assimilating into the train culture...he squeezed in w/ some passengers and serenaded them w/ his guitar. They erupted into applause when he pulled it out. Laura and Alex and I sat around a table w/ some other Chinese...one of whom was a younger girl..maybe early 20s who spoke some English. I took her picture w/ her boyfriend...big guy I could have mistaken for Mongolian but nice all the same. I took soem photos of the train car to try and capture the crowdedness. A stranger came and wanted his photo taken w/ me w/ his friend's cell phone camera. I was happy to take it but it didn't turn out so well because he had no flash. He ended up chasing me down outside the station when we got off in the morning and taking another in the light.

Anyway it was one of the most uncomfortable rides I've had anywhere including Mngolia b/c I didnt' have anywhere to lean my head. So i slept for maybe an hour or two and crashed in the hotel room once we got to Datong. Still...despite the lack of comfort it was full of character and an experience I will never forget!

I'll share the rest when I get home but I just wanted to let you know. The transportation fun doesn't end in Mongolia!