Travel Re-cap: Oh Mongolia how you torture me

Welcome to Mongolia!

Dealing with Visa's in China is a pain in the ass. The last visa I had, required me to leave China every 90 days and that day always crept out of the blue. The easiest and cheapest way to exit is to Mongolia. $100 covers transportation and food. I went to Mongolia a total of 5 times, the first time by myself. That first time, Chris helped me buy a bus ticket and told me "look for the rainbow and when you find it you're in Mongolia. Good luck and don't get lost or stolen!". Not being able to speak Chinese and looking for a huge rainbow to signify my arrival was quit exhausting and stressful. I thought I was going to be led into an alley and sold into the sex trade. But that didn't happen. I have to say that I actually do like Mongolia because of the blue skies, one of my favorite restaurants, being able to see the stars, and the people are very kind.

 My only guide in my trek to Mongolia, also worked as communications with the Mongolians. For some reason my Mongolian jeep driver decided it was necessary for me to know animal names.

  Once you find this massive Rainbow, you know you're almost in Mongolia.

 The sleeper bus will take you to the Mongolian/Chinese border town in 12 hours, and no the TV doesn't work (a lot of things in China are for show).

 Minor detail, you can't walk into Mongolia. You have to hire one of these jeeps to take you across the border.

China's version of a truck stop without the convenience and a whole different degree of self service.

Random Power plant in the middle of no where.

After that first trip, I was always accompanied by Chris and our friend Brian. We picked up many foreigners on their way to Beijing and had fun meeting people from Italy, Mexico, UK, and I think there was a Spanish guy we met as well.

Travel Re-Cap: Bei Dai Hu

Welcome to Bei dai he!

Bei dai he is the nearest coastal city to Beijing, about 6 hours by car or 2 hours by fast train (dongche). It is saturated with Russians and their super heavy food. Luckily we had Olga with us because she translated all the menus for us. We literally ate at the same restaurant over and over because of their scrumptious beer, which is why we were there threes times a day. In Beijing, the beer is really lite and not very good, so it was nice bumping into cheap dark beer.

 We bought our train tickets late and weren't able to get sitting tickets. So I made my own little place inside the luggage storage.

 Poor animals and go carts at the wild life reserve. Such a sad place.

 We stole a picture of this guys snake. He wanted us to pay him for pictures but we refused.

 Travel buddies. Me, Chris, Yassine (my roommate), and Olga

 Fake Hiking

Wuhan land of possible future prosperity

Welcome to Wuhan

 Last Chinese New Year we decided to make a trip to Wuhan because plane tickets were super cheap. If I remember correctly, a ticket was only $45.00. This city prides themselves for being in the middle of China and cooking Chairman Mao's favorite fish. Wuhan was a bit on the ghetto side but it was still fun.

 

Arriving at the train station 

 

So many people in one place but is not an uncommon sight.

                               Meat stick men singing to attract customers              Random Street Art
                                                                    

I was very surprised to find this group of women in the middle of China trying to save the world. They were very impressive and funny.

Cute old lady selling snacks next to a bus station

I've never seen soooo many pads in one isle and no tampons.

We found this guy on a bridge making insect figures out of bamboo.

Hanging out with these kids eating my deep fried banana covered in mayonnaise and chocolate. Sounds nasty but was quit tasty.

 

The banana guy making my delicious concoction.

Experimentation with the frog...

Chris and I

By the end of this trip we were so ragged looking. I think I was in the same two outfits for over a week. I hate having to lug my stuff around when traveling.