day 39: 太安驿 (taianyi) – 榆次 (yuci) = 32,2km

[No news from me lately, because there was no way to get online.

But I have been keeping my diary anyways, and I just posted the entries for December 15th and 16th, so you can follow up on them if you like.]

Basically, the last 100km have just been seeing a lot of plain old walking on my part.

Walking through all kinds of landscapes:

This part of China, Shanxi province (山西), is very beautiful in some areas:

It even reminded me of Bryce Canyon in a way. Rugged and wild.

I didn’t climb down into the beautiful wilderness though, and I didn’t camp out either.

Now It might not look like it, but it got really cold these days. I’m okay anyways, haven’t even had to put on all of my winter-wear yet. Besides, walking heats up really well.

I even take off my gloves sometimes to take a picture or two:

Deserted.

Small engine big exhaust.

About 3/4 down the way I ran into some kids who were sweating in truck repair shop:

Heavy work. One tire alone pounds in at more than 100kg, they told me.

I stuck around for a while, asking foolish questions and messing with my camera, then the owner invited me into the back of the shop to warm up:

A couple of old guys, a stove and a TV. Sunflower seeds to chew on. The good life.

I couldn’t stay long, though, because it was already getting dark, so I put the flashlight on and got on my way.

You can probably imagine how nice it is to see the city lights glow in the distance, knowing that the way ahead can’t be much more than another 5km or so:

Out from the wilderness, back in the city:

Feels good.

Soundtrack: Senses Fail – “Bite To Break Skin”

—total: 600,8km