Day 33 – Travel day to Xi'an and encouraged to keep writing

By bogaert

I wanted to stop blogging today, give it all up! But being under social pressure … here you go:

Last night I repacked my luggage. After dinner we went for a short discovery tour to Houhai. This was a nice surprise! Houhai is a large lake north of the Forbidden City surrounded by hundreds of illuminated bars with each of them a small live band. The reflection of the illumination on the lake and the mixture of music styles results in a remarkable atmosphere. We ended up in a bar serving Belgian beers, including Gentse Strop. Being tiered we didn’t stay long time and before going to bed we exchanged photos for the last time.

This morning it was my turn to leave, leaving mixed feelings. I went across the street to Starbucks for a blueberry muffin with an Americano before I jumped into a taxi to the airport. I left most of my stuff in the hotel in Beijing and will pick it up end of next week before going home. I packed my carry-on trolley with the bare minimum of what I need the next 11 days and stowed all electronics into my heavy backpack. Armed with two phones, down jacket, wind breaking jacket, down sleeping bag, and a head overloaded with great memories I should be ready to go west, first going to Xi'an and thereafter going to Tibet!

Packing

With my survival luggage for the next 11 days at the airport gate: down jacket, small trolley (sleeping bag, clothes, etc.) and heavy backpack (electronics)

The worst of leaving Beijing behind me was definitely saying goodbye to colleagues whom became best friends. But no other option, I have to move on. Going to Tibet and the Himalayas is making a life time dream come through, and I am very close to make this happen. Back home I was encouraged to make this adventures trip. I planned it and the time has come to go. I feel keeping tracked and encouraged to continue from home, by many of my CSC project colleagues, and by our CSC interns. Thanks! Really thanks, in particular to those who keep my moving forward over the past days!

The best reason leaving Beijing behind me was probably the bad air quality. The mixture of living in a hotel room with carpets, cigarette smoke nearly everywhere, and outdoor air pollution is horrible for my immune system. I never took so many drugs as over the past weeks to fight allergies. I am on daily mixture of Zyrtec and Aerius since weeks, and in Beijing added several doses of Airomir a day to keep me breathing. Despite the magnificent sites in Beijing, this is definitely not a place where I could stay for a long time. I really hope to detox soon in the Himalayas.

Whilst speaking about drugs, it was remarkable how many people got sick over the past four weeks. Out of the 19 (12 IBMers and 7 interns), I am aware that eight of them got sick. Mostly abdominal related, caused by taking less attention to the quality of food and drinks. I keep my fingers crossed and think twice before putting something near to my mouth. Ok, maybe a bit too cautious. I have lost several kilograms of weight, but that doesn't harm. Colleagues were surprised by my drug survival kit, but several were happy I had it with me. For those who are curious, here is the list of what I carry: Zyrtec, Aerius, Ibuprofine, Naproxen, Asperin, Melatonin, Valium 50, Codeine 1000, Amoxiclave, Ofloxacine, Diamox, Airomir, throat lozenge, and full day nutrition doses.

Today’s program as planned: taxi to the airport, check-in without checked luggage, 2 hours flight on schedule, landed on time, straight from the gate to the hotel and checked-in.The air quality seems a bit better compared to Beijing. At the hotel check-in I received my parcel with my Tibet Travel Permit! Yeah, got it in my hands! The hotel could arrange my tomorrow’s journey to the sites around Xi’an, but I had the impression it was a bit expensive. I took a taxi to downtown area and started my planned visits to the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the small Mosque, the Muslim street and bazaar, the large Mosque, and the city wall. In between I arranged my tomorrow’s journey without help of our interns, Yeah! Enjoy the photos!

Xi'an Bell Tower