China boasts some of the best tour guides in the world. Ping Mao who leads groups into Tiger Leaping Gorge with his trusted mule "Pancho" has for instance won the top international award for herding 4 years running by rounding 493 wild boars, 72 sheep, 3 cows, 2 local pastors, a wedding party, and on one memorable occasion, even himself. Although he offers no gaurentees on his tours, most people come back alive and the statistics are still improving. Last year only 5 percent perished. It may be an idea to inform a solicitor of your whereabouts and prepare a will before you leave.
I am currently in X'ian having caught a sleeper train here. I have been on a three day Yangsee cruise which I'm sure would have been great if we could actually see anything through the low lying fog. In other words we vegetated for that period of time and ate pot noodles. We have caught two sleeper trains so far and just walked a long way along a big wall. X'ian is the sencond ;ast place before Beijing which is our final desination. So in 5 days this tour will be over. Sad, but I'll be happy to be moving along too. Chinese food is taking it's toll. BURNING RING OF FIRE.
