It is hot

We arrived safely in Chengdu, and it is hot. The temperature is in the high 90's with about 100% humidity. Walking outside is, to use an already overused phrase, like stepping into a sauna. It is so humid that you can see the hot mist sitting in the air. We can't tell you how much we love the A/C, and Zach now knows how to ask for "bing shui"- ice water.

The past few days have been great- we were able to meet up with Jon and Jen and go to Jon's goodbye party. We've also been able to meet a lot of the N's foreigner friends here, and it has been fun getting to know them. Unfortunately, Jen stepped off a curb and sprained her ankle a few days ago, and she's been in a lot of pain. Jon, Zach, and I went to the hospital this morning to buy her a pair of crutches. We hope that her ankle heals quickly.

It's great to finally be in China and practice my Mandarin with native speakers! When Chinese people see blond people walking down the street, they have no qualms about staring, pointing, and shouting out all the English words they know. The little kids are especially curious. We are excited to go up to the mountains tomorrow morning. Kangding is an 8-hour bus ride from Chengdu, and it's about the same elevation as good old Buena Vista (9,000 or so feet) ... last time we were there, we felt right at home. One of the N's friends also happens to be going tomorrow, so we'll be able to ride up to Kangding together with her. Rachel will stay in Chengdu with friends until Lisa arrives the 23rd, and hopefully the two of them will be able to meet us in the mountains.

On the downside, Zach is still sick with the flu, and I think I'm starting to get it, too. The heat is really getting to us mountain folk, and we will be so glad to finally be in a Tibetan town again!