Hey there,

since I left Chengdu, I was in the middle of the nature - yeah, finally :)

After a horrible bus trip (instead of 8h 14h - due to earthquake (once more) and landslide right that day) I arrived at Songpan. The next day I started a three-day-horse-trip to the IceMountain together with a dutch and a norwegian couple. Nice! The couples and the riding and the natue. For the first time contact with tibetian culture: the first chorten, stupas, monks.

After that I decided to go to Langmusi, and Yuval and Zack decided to go with me. So our very international Trio went on together. The tibetian monastery over there was really amazing! The next day we hiked into the gorge, put up Zacks tent and went to explore the peak of one of the surrouding mountains. Beautiful! The night in the 2person-tent was much warmer than expected, as I sent home my sleeping bag 5 days ago... *sigh* whatever I do, I do it wrong. The stars were amazing as we were in a valley where there was absolutley no light. Next day hike out, our ways separeted: I went on to Xiahe, to visit the most important tibetian Monastery outside of Lhasa, they continued to in research of less touristic places.

And here I am now. this was only the very, very short version, I will extend the story afterwards, but I still want some things to do apart internet. just to let you know, I'm fine.

Some pictures will follow.

Tomorrow going to Xining, buying trainticket (drueckt mir die Daumen), continuing to lake qinghaihu.

See you soon (return is on 31st, august). Looking forward, still...

Angi