Dec. 9-10 Riding to Datong

Location: along highway G208, south west of Datong, China

The road was relatively quiet heading up towards the small mountain pass separating us from Datong. The air was cold with a bit of a breeze coming from the north. That meant we had a bit of head wind but at least the pollution had been blown away and we had bright blue sky for once and fresh air! On the other side of the mountains we came across remnants of the Great Wall, which at this point is nothing more than an incomplete high dirt mound snaking its way over the hills. For the rest of the day, we, once again, shared the road with an endless convoy of coal trucks. After sunset, we snuck into a pine tree grove with very uneven ground but after some searching among the trees we found a level spot large enough for the tent. Temperature was dropping fast and our fingers were half frozen by the time we had set up the tent. We quickly munched down some dry food because we just wanted to get in our sleeping bags and warm up.

Next morning we had some trouble getting into town because the big bridge of the highway we were on was being rebuilt and there was no signed detour route so we got a bit lost trying to find another way. A bit frustrated we stopped by a little store to get some shelter from the wind while having breakfast. We had just unpacked our breakfast foods when the store owner came to the door and urged us inside. We waved and indicated that we were okay outside. He went back inside but shortly after a lady came outside offering us a hot bowl of breakfast soup and once again inviting us inside. This time we accepted. While sitting on some boxes next to the till we were served several bowls of pumpkin-millet soup and the store owner kept an eye on our bikes through the window. It was so sweet. After the frustration of getting lost this morning this was the perfect cheer-up. It seems like the Lord always knows how to remind that all is okay and that we do not have to worry.

We were able to submit our visa applications that afternoon and the office even agreed to process them by the end of the week instead of the regular 5 business days! What a relief!!!