August 3, 2006 More notes and observations from Rachel—
Hello again!
Boy, were we busy today! We drove about two hours from Urumqi to the ancient city of Turpan. First we went to the well preserved, 2000 year old ruins. I’ve only been that hot once before, on The Great Wall. We rode there on a donkey cart that was supposed to pick us back up. Well it didn’t, and another nice cart driver let us sit in the shade of his cart while he called up the one who was supposed to pick us up. In the actual city there were lots of child vendors, most of them girls. Most of them smiled at us until we shook our heads no, and then followed us around looking really sad. But others smiled and waved when we left. After that we went to grape valley and ate peaches! Just kidding. We ate really sweet grapes and got a picture with a man who was said to be over a hundred. I had my doubts as he was sitting out in that 100 degree weather. I’m guessing he was more around 90. After that we went to an ancient underground irrigation system. It was nice and cool and very interesting. And in between all this we saw:
The biggest wind power plant in Asia, around 200 enormous windmills out in the middle of the dessert, herds of wild camels and horses by the side of the road, the flaming mountain, and shepherds and flocks of goats and sheep.
Yesterday we went to the Grand Bazaar for dinner and a show. The best part was the tight rope walkers. I can’t wait to go shopping at the Grand Bazaar. Mom’s too tired to post tonight…more from her tomorrow, hopefully.
