August 14th, 2006 | categorizilation: all categories,China
I was supposed to pick up my Kyrgyz visa today.
I was told to come and pick my visa up today.
As I left the consulate, the guy at the counter double checked by saying “See you Monday, yes?”.
Today the Kyrgyz consulate was closed.
Today some more of those overly inquisitive city dwelling Chinese lot decided it a good idea to sit on my bike when I was not on it. That promptly caused the  stand to break. It also caused one of my water bottle cages to break.
I have decided that Chinese people generally need to chill out. Too much honking of horns, overly energetic and intrusive interactions, too much arguing.
Maybe I just need to get out of this city. Chinese cities are madness.
So I be staying at te Xinjiang International Youth Hostel. Nice place. Their computers allow access to Flickr. That’s why I could upload some pics.
I hope nothing more serious broke on the bike?! The kick stands on HP Velotechniks seems to break right and left though. I broke one on my Spirit a couple of weeks ago.
Keep up the reports and the great photos! Time for breakfast!
/Peter from Luleå Sweden, currently in Oslo.
Hey Rob,
Ohhh man that would make me a little mad! In my experiences with them..I would have to agree with your description of Chinese people. There seems to be no respect given to personal space and very little consideration to what is and isn't appropriate for the situation. That said I am sure there are many many lovely people there.
Hope the damage doesn't cause you too much trouble.
Lovely pictures!
Rob, Really enjoying keeping up with the trip. We are thinking of you often,
Love Dad
Fantastic heavenly lake and desert!! Very reminiscent of the McKenzie country eh?
I guess because there are so many people in China, they get used to not having personal space and probably don't understand your need for it. It was fortunate that nothing else was broken on your bike. Do you have to be careful as far as thieving goes?
I, too, hope that nothing serious is broken. When I was in Copenhagen last year having lunch in a Chinese restaurant suddenly a big group of maybe 15 Chinese stood around the Leitra (leitra.dk) velomobile, trying to get into. But two tricks helped prevent them to do so: 1) Taking the carbon seat with me and 2) closing the Leitra with a trick I'd learned from the engineer – nothing for you though.
I hope you'll enjoy your trip and won't have that intrusive ppl but more intriguing moments like the ones you've had the 2 days before.
