Going to Meet the Buddha

So I'm writing from Lanzhao, where we've stopped on our way to Xiahe for a few days. It's a pretty large city, and supposedly one of the most polluted cities in the world. I can attest to that, as my sinuses have gotten worse since we pulled into town a few hours ago. The pollution I have to say is the only thing I've really struggled with here. I guess after living in Seattle, it's going to be a bit different going to a place where you can't see the mountains because of the pollution, and your eyes are dry and you have a chronic sore throat. Hmm. I wonder...

But regardless...I am having an extraordinary time here. Yesterday we were in Pingliang (sp?) for two days and went to see the Taoist Monestary - Kongtong Temple - which is supposedly one of the most revered temples in all of China. I have to admit it was pretty spectacular, especially after climbing 1233 steps pretty much straight up to get there. Granted I could have taken the bus up, but I wanted the full experience. While I was tired and sweaty when I got to the monestary, taking the long way up was completely worth it, and I got to see some temples that I otherwise wouldn't have seen.

Taoists believe in many gods, and it just so happened to be one of their's birthday. The Thunder God. Of course we stood out among all the Chinese visitors, and the monks took a definite liking to us. The monks did an all day ceremony that culminated at 2pm with some spectacular drumming, fireworks, and chanting. And then, not more than thirty seconds after they finished their ceremony, it started to rain. I shit you not. So we were all soaked as we made it down, and then, it thundered. A few times. Again, not making this up. Pretty weird, but pretty amazing as well.

That's when the Kamakazi bus driver came in. I was not climbing down those 1233 steps again, my ass was beat down tired. So I got a bus ticket and headed for the tiny white van that was the so-called bus. Of course it waited till it was full - all 8 of us, and then we headed down, but he decided to drive down the mountain like we were on a rollercoaster. I seriously was shocked at his taking the turns at around 40mph, ignoring the speed bumps, and just all out going for it to get us down the hill in what must have been record time. I was laughing the entire way down as it seriously felt like I was on a ride. It was totally worth my 15Yuan.