Day 9: Zhangjiajie - Chongqing

05.19.08

Zhangjiajie - Chongqing

1:10 AM

Just arrived back at our hotel in Chongqing after two days in Zhangjiajie. Today we walked up and down (mostly down -- but not a wimpy down, i'm talking steep!) over 5,000 steps (7.5 km). The scenery was incredible! Now, however, I'm going to nurse the bug bite on my face and pass out.

12:50 PM

Just heard on the radio that China's observing three days of mourning -- "Their pain is our pain." Festivities are supposed to be shut down because of this, including the running of the Olympic torch, and we're kinda wondering if this means all tourist attractions are going to be closed as well..........We're headed for Xi'an's Terra Cotta soldiers in 2 days. According to the news, China's received a total of 8.9 billion RMB so far and it hasn't even been a week. I'm in awe of how fast this country just got everything together.

1:19 PM

Called the travel agency in our hotel to find out if they're still booking trips. They are.
"People are going to be so confused. They won't know whether to stay open or not. It's so last minute. People have plans. The living still have to live!!" -- my mother (in Chinese).

2:28 PM

3 minutes of mourning. TV program about how to protect yourself during an earthquake halted. Cars outside play their symphony.