Zhongwei (Inner Mongolia)

Zhongwei is a 20 hour train ride West of Beijing, putting it just within Inner Mongolia region of China, along the Yellow river and to the West, the Tenger Desert. Our first day in Zhongwei we drove outside of town to a village along the Yellow river that first received electricity in 2006. The village was maybe two NYC blocks long with roughly 10 mud hut homes, a few acres of corn fields and a large waterwheel. Having visited the SW towns of Santa Fe, Taos and the Mesa Verde National Park this summer, we commented how the homes in front of us were similar to what was built in the 1200s in the States. These farmers still live simply off the earth and are minimally influenced by the modern cities nearby.

Waiting for us at the river bank after the village walk were three sheepskin rafts; ie-dowel & wood 2x2 frames sitting atop sheep skins that had miraculously been emptied of bone,muscle,fat,innards, ect..through small holes created by a missing head and two hind legs. A guide put the finishing puffs of air in one as we arrived, wrapping an opening tightly with twine, before dropping it into the water for us to board. 12 - 15 inflated sheep actually function quite well as a floatation device, and for the next two hours we drifted down the swift Yellow river, passing corn fields, farmers, and herds of goats scampering up the jagged hills creating the valley.

Our 2nd day in the area we drove a short distance away from the motorbike & car honking - pedestrian dodging center of the city to start an overnight Camel trek into the desert. This sort of desert excursion was a first for either of us. Using camels as transportation made for a memorable two days. At night, we hiked up a dune to look over the rolling stretches of sand and down to our circle of tents and campfire. Surely an image that will leave a lasting impression long after this trip is over.

A side street in Zhongwei

Walking through the village

Outside his home during harvest season

Warn welcoming smile

No mistaking these for truck tubes

Trusty Guides

Floating the Yellow RiverFinished & ready to warm up

Christy enjoying the vantage point atop a camel. Counter to classic image of the arid desert, it was overcast and cold throughout.

Rest stop

Leading us further

Our Intrepid tour group in camp

One of our Guides, a moment by the fire when he wasn't chasing one of his camels.

Sledding down a dune near camp

The walk home.

(When Dion was getting live Blackberry updates from one of our travel friends on the UW vs USC football score)