Wasting away those desert nights

After 12 hour train ride landed us in Korla and another 7 hour bus ride south to Rouqiang, I was on the so called southern silk road and smack in the middle of nowhere. They call it the southern silk road; from Kashgar east towards Goma, Rouqiang and eventually Beijing along the south edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Camels, bazaars and abandoned ancient cities await the eager traveller. Sounds romantic? How about no english, no buses (or any other form of transport) and really really bad roads.

.1 Frank's Map

Unfortunately I ate something bad at this point and got food poisoning; My digestive system was out of order for 3 days, Marcus had left for Thailand, and there was no bus westwards for 2 and half days. Not wanting to stay in Rouqiang any longer than I had to I decided to take the bus west even though I was still sick. What followed was one of the bumpiest roads ever and I was not a happy camper. Wanting the comforts of a big city I kept bus hopping for 36 hours until I was a few hours from Kashgar.

1.1 Eggs Anyone?

As I was just about to stop for the night I met a local Uyghur named Nijat on the bus who invited me to his home near Goma (on the map). What I really wanted to do was check into a hotel and sleep for 2 days but I couldn't pass this up. Uyghur's are Turk speaking muslims who make up (or used to make up) the majority of the population in Xinxiang. His village was a desert oasis; complete with traditional style Uyghur houses, grape vines, apricot trees and fields of wheat, rice and corn. I spent 2 days in his village and had a wonderful time. He was a great host and his family was very kind. Lucklily my stomach was getting better and I was able to try some of the regional specialities including yogurt, apricots, bagels, and almonds.

1.2 A Boy

1.3 My Friend Nijat

1.4 Nijat's Village

1.5 Nijat's Village

1.6 Hanging Out

1.7 Two Generations

1.8 Children Swimming in the Moats

1.9 My Room

2.0 Town Mosque

2.1 Kashgar: Selling Bread

2.2 Kashgar: Making Copper Pots

2.3 Kashgar

2.4 Kashgar

2.5 Kashgar Vegetable Market