Arrival in Lanzhou

Here we are in Lanzhou. The flight here was fine. They passed out scratch off tickets for money on the plane as a game. A little girl seated next to our coordinator, Lina, won 100 Yuan.... a little more than $12. Maybe American or Continental could pick up on that. Apparently, one could win as much as 20,000 Yuan. That is actually some serious cash. It is overcast and a bit rainy. We had an amazing lunch of traditional Chinese noodles in a beef broth with some chili oil thrown in for good measure. A very local restaurant. I could not help but think of Mac Hinson, as he is the one who would have loved the heat of the chilies. We see Hui in about an hour. They are letting her rest right now.

There are five families from Denmark with children here at the hotel. They have been here a day or two. We saw one couple downstairs with their (looked like) three year old or so. She did not look convinced.....

The room is small but very nice. Lanzhou is an industrial town of about 3 million according to our local guide "Chan". He seems very cool and experienced. We also have a driver for the week as well as Lina. We feel very well taken care of. Emily made the comment that she now knows what it means to be a minority. Boy, are we.

Lanzhou is a city that is long (45 K) and narrow (7 K) and located in the Yellow river valley between two mountain ranges. Not high mountains at all .... kind of like the Ozarks. These are shots out of our window on the 12th floor.

More later.... film at 11.