Dingxi Week 2

Still no internet access. Blogging via mobile phone.

Last weekend I took a train to Tianshui, an ancient battlefield from the Three Kingdoms era. Visited the Maijishan Grottoes, known as “Little Dunhuang.” But misfortune strikes in threes. My digital camera of four years was stolen, and on the way back, the water-scarce Gansu actually rained — got caught in it. Caught a cold and fever! Thankfully, medicine in time, recovered within a day. Then found my shoulder in severe pain — probably from long hours at the desk, frozen shoulder. Hurriedly bought Yunnan Baiyao patches. Yesterday I tested my heart rate — 90 beats per minute. Seems I really do have mild altitude sickness. Asked colleagues, they also have accelerated heart rates. Ah, the body.

Water here is quite problematic — not a shortage, but undrinkable. Even after boiling, there’s a thick layer of scale at both top and bottom. Unappetizing to look at. This must be the “hard water” we learned about in school. Laundry detergent produces no foam at all in this water.

Lastly, my parents said they might come to accompany me. Looking forward to it.