I had to poop, but the restroom (two holes in a concrete floor) was occupied, and there were no dividers. I waited for the men to leave, entered, and assumed the position. Soon after I began my business, a man in a nice suit joined me and urinated only inches away. I quickly handed my camera to Justin, who snapped this photo of the cultural experience. He is only a novice photographer.
We were reduced to a crawl, stuck behind irate dump trucks and elderly shoppers at a crowded bazaar, so I took advantage of the slowed pace to snap this photo.
One of the smoothest sections of our route. There was no stopping to take pictures when the roads got bad.
Even the oldest villagers carry huge loads on their backs.
The one western gesture that everyone uses with us.
This old woman needed a rest from the fast pace of the market, so she sat on the curb between some fruit vendors.
A herder marches with his diverse troupe of livestock. Cattle, pigs and a goat.
The dentist sets up shop streetside, where he gives a woman a new tooth. A gaggle of curious observers quickly forms.
Villagers beat sun-dried corn with sticks to seperate the kernels from the cobs.
A cow licks its lips, hungry for Justin's fried-dough snack. He eventually got to try a bit.
Tibetan stupa and prayer flags.
On the southbound leg, snow-topped peaks gave way to desert valleys reminiscient of the American southwest.
A kind woman prepares our noodles.
Sunburned, dusty, and seven days without shower, I greedily savor my yak meat.
Rather than making a sign, the restuarant proudly displays their collection of yak spines, entrails, and furs.
Socializing with the villagers after helping load the last bags of beans onto the truck.
The children of the village we stayed at. They loved having their pictures taken.
Young men gather at a small town where we refueled the bike.
Our bike in all its glory, having navigated Tiger Leaping Gorge and forded the base of a waterfall. The rear basket was destroyed in this stunt, but that only lowered the center of gravity and made us more aerodynamic.
A herder urges his goats down the vertical face of Tiger Leaping Gorge to munch plants off of the cliffside.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Town
A farmer, and our first glimpse of arctic mountains.
Fields we passed after leaving Jianshuang, the distant mountains obscured by cold morning haze.
Oh how our bottoms would come to long for such smooth and straight roads.
"Land Exploitation" is so beautiful from far away.
Every city we visit has numerous replicas of this fellow.
The trucks are piled dangerously high, and everyone rides on top.
Workers fare the thick clouds of white dust as a truck delivers rocks; these they will break and pour into a fiery pit.
We aren't sure if these mysterious buildings were being built or demolished.
The lights of "Old Town" Dali.
The choose-your-own-adventure style restaurant. You point to the ingredients you want and they are quickly stir-fried over an open flame.
An old man waits on the side of a Dali street.
The quintessential Chinese tree.
I had to poop, but the restroom (two holes in a concrete floor) was occupied, and there were no dividers. I waited for the men to leave, entered, and assumed the position. Soon after I began my business, a man in a nice suit joined me and urinated only inches away. I quickly handed my camera to Justin, who snapped this photo of the cultural experience. He is only a novice photographer.
We were reduced to a crawl, stuck behind irate dump trucks and elderly shoppers at a crowded bazaar, so I took advantage of the slowed pace to snap this photo.
One of the smoothest sections of our route. There was no stopping to take pictures when the roads got bad.
Even the oldest villagers carry huge loads on their backs.
The one western gesture that everyone uses with us.
This old woman needed a rest from the fast pace of the market, so she sat on the curb between some fruit vendors.
A herder marches with his diverse troupe of livestock. Cattle, pigs and a goat.
The dentist sets up shop streetside, where he gives a woman a new tooth. A gaggle of curious observers quickly forms.
Villagers beat sun-dried corn with sticks to seperate the kernels from the cobs.
A cow licks its lips, hungry for Justin's fried-dough snack. He eventually got to try a bit.
Tibetan stupa and prayer flags.
On the southbound leg, snow-topped peaks gave way to desert valleys reminiscient of the American southwest.
A kind woman prepares our noodles.
Sunburned, dusty, and seven days without shower, I greedily savor my yak meat. 
Rather than making a sign, the restuarant proudly displays their collection of yak spines, entrails, and furs.
Socializing with the villagers after helping load the last bags of beans onto the truck.
The children of the village we stayed at. They loved having their pictures taken.
Young men gather at a small town where we refueled the bike.
Our bike in all its glory, having navigated Tiger Leaping Gorge and forded the base of a waterfall. The rear basket was destroyed in this stunt, but that only lowered the center of gravity and made us more aerodynamic.
A herder urges his goats down the vertical face of Tiger Leaping Gorge to munch plants off of the cliffside.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Town
A farmer, and our first glimpse of arctic mountains.
Fields we passed after leaving Jianshuang, the distant mountains obscured by cold morning haze.
Oh how our bottoms would come to long for such smooth and straight roads.
"Land Exploitation" is so beautiful from far away.
Every city we visit has numerous replicas of this fellow. 
The trucks are piled dangerously high, and everyone rides on top.
Workers fare the thick clouds of white dust as a truck delivers rocks; these they will break and pour into a fiery pit.
We aren't sure if these mysterious buildings were being built or demolished.
The lights of "Old Town" Dali.
The choose-your-own-adventure style restaurant. You point to the ingredients you want and they are quickly stir-fried over an open flame. 
An old man waits on the side of a Dali street.
The quintessential Chinese tree.
3 comments:
Mike,
You and Justin have really outdone yourselves this time. The pictures are fabulous. I'm glad you posted more this time. The photos of all the people, old and young, are National Geographic quality. Between your pictures and Justin's writings it really brings your adventures to life. I love the picture of the two cows in the middle of the road.
Love,
Dad
Mike's mom - You couldn't be farther away, yet it's like I'm riding on the bike with you. When you finally arrive in Southern Thailand, the sun / beach /ocean will be heaven. America is consumed by the annual pre-Christmas frenzy and I wish we could join you. Love you.
Wow! Great photos!
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