Hard day today!

Woke up at 5 to check out one big buddhist get together at the Xiahe monastery, that only happens once every three years.. and by chance, just when i was here! The crowd movements were pretty hectic and we even started to dismantle a piece of the temple.. but always smiling! These tibetains are incredible!

After that, we (Silvia, Frank and i) went hiking in a mountain nearby to have a picnic by a sacred tibetain lake.. the lake itself wasn't all that special, but the hike was cool!

Yack head..

Before..

After..

... and how about this funky dude?.. (i just didn't know where to put it!)

Bank note..

I almost forgot that one, in Beijing..
When you go to the bank, you can choose your 5 star cashier!
And according to the level of service you got, you just note him on the spot with the electronic device provided! Talk of direct customer feedback!

The Raft of the Medusa

That's the closest i can think of to compare the 22 hours of "hard seat" train from Beijing to Lanzhou!
In every wagon there were enough people to fill one more! People everywhere.. on the floor, on the sink, in the bathroom, standing, sitting, laying, sleeping, from kids to grand mothers.. no way to move or sleep.. bit hardcore if you ask me!..
Hopped straight from the train to 6 hours by bus.. but i made it to Xiahe!.. and the dorm room gives on the beautiful tibetain monastery.. can't complain!