| Location: | Kashgar |
| Mileage: | 0 this week! |
Arriving in Kashgar early now gives the team a whole week here, which in many ways turns out for the best. There is a lot of work to be done and more paperwork to get Chinese licences and registration plates. Everyone has to go to the local hospital to get their eyes tested and medical (haha) done. Bikes, people and clothing need a massive clean up – ahh! Hot water! Some riders get Chinese torture massages (!) and go to the barbers for the closest shaves possible. Parts for the drowned GS turn up from the UK.
Then there is also Western food and drink – a welcome relief for many as they find down from the hotel they can get an expresso coffee, pizza, chips and cheesecake. After yak and before the delights of the cabbage and duck to come, Kashgar is a perfect haven to rest up, clean up, feed up and get prepared for the next section.
We also have trips organised to go to Shiptons Arch, an overnighter at Taxkorgan on the KKH and then the famous livestock market, where Michael, our resident Cumbrian farmer, gave us the lessons on what made a good sheep, or donkey or even camel! Apparently camels cost £1,000. Then came the invite to a celebration feast – the locals had BBQ’d a whole camel! That’s right a whole grown camel – so big, the spit stuck up its behind had to hooked to a crane to be hoisted clear of the flames. Once again, CCTV (national Chinese TV) was there to mark the occasion and as we were the only foreigners, we also became the centre of attention. Another interview and we were given the honour of the first taste of the camel. Chicken, anyone?! No, pork, maybe . . . . (Look at www.youtube.com/globebusters)
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