Wuwei was once a prominent city along the Silk Road, connecting China and Central Asia, Mongolia and beyond. Traders from India, and modern Afghanistan walked through Wuwei and brough Buddhism as well as goods and services east. Our hotel in Wuwei was the three star Tian Ma Hotel.

Day 8 takes us from Wu Wei to Jiayugan, which is the first pass at the western end of the Great Wall of China. We started out the day traveling west (that’s the way to Paris) on the expressway. At approximately 150 km west of Wu Wei, it passes thru the Great Wall. That’s correct, a toll road cuts right through the Great Wall.

We spent the rest of the day looking for routes with varying degrees of success. More on that later, first let me fill you in on lunch. We had lunch at a farmer’s kitchen. It was a kind of bread and breakfast home-style cooking like mom use to do. There were 10 of these places on the road. We entered through a courtyard and shown to a private room with table and couches we chose the couches and had a great lunch sitting on the couch and eating off the coffee table. Lunch consisted of chicken and chicken feet! You will learn that nothing is wasted.

After lunch we found a great road that wound through some farmland and lakes and suddenly ended at a construction site. As usual, we asked for directions. Well Sim asked and we listened to the animated conversation in the middle of the desert that we had just entered; No problem, just turn left and at about 15 km, you will rejoin the road.

Well, left led us into a scene out of Laurence of Arabia. Driving along at 10 km, we got stuck fast and high centered in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of China. Being seasoned travelers, we were well prepared for such an incident and resorted to digging ourselves out with our bare hands. Needless to say, we chose a different route to finish the day.

Our 450 km day turned into 700km, by the time we reached the hotel in Jiayuguan. After a shower, (we needed it), it was an easy walk to the local restaurant near the Hotel for a meal of seafood stew, baked carp, candied yams, and oh, don’t forget the appetizer–donkey. Yes, I had never eaten Donkey before either. ( and it did not taste like chicken!)

I can’t wait to see the reaction and reception we are going to get from the people as we bring the Great Race 2008.through China on our way to Paris. The Gobi Desert next!!

On the Road,

Wayne

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