Folks, here she is! Guetswriter Emma Ohlin from Sweden

8. June - Chengdu

Wednesday. Woke up of heat stroke at eight o'clock in the morning. Although both the fan and the AC was working diligently, the temperature in our room was comparable to a sauna. Luke slept while I went for breakfast. I like to get up fairly early in the morning while Luke would rather sleep, though I am a person who occasionally need time for myself. We both need some breathing space, especially in a moment like this when we are travelling and living close together that we currently are. So this morning in my lonelyness I thought of life in general while I enjoyed a well-made cappuccino.

The disappointment from yesterday regarding Tibet has not yet subsided, and I guess it will take some time before I get over what an amazing trip we had been able to be involved in. It would for example have been a perfect occasion to visit my family's sponsored children who live in Lhasa. For my part, it will probably take a long time before I get the chance to go to Tibet as it will be a whole new invest in a journey. Luke, however, will probably try again this fall and I sincerely hope for his sake that he manages to get there.

Despite Chengdu's heatwave, it has been a productive day. We have booked a train ticket from Chengdu to Chinas capital city Beijing, we have booked train tickets for the famous Trans-Siberian railway line on the Beijing-Ulan Batar, Mongolia. In addition, we read about how we to travel in Mongolia in order to get the most possible out of this trip and to make a good schedule though our travel days are indeed numbered.

Tomorrow we go to Beijing. A train journey that will take just over 30 hours, which we are really exited about as we have a common interest for traveling by train. There is nothing as inspiring as watching the world go by outside a train window. It will be nice to leave Chengdu, or this hostel in particular. While it obviously feels a little sad. I'm very happy here but of course I look forward to the next adventure, especially in Mongolia.

China is a great country in many ways, but after a week here, I feel quite satisfied. China has never really been particularly high on my list of countries I wanted to visit and if I would not have met Luke, I probably would not have come here. Mainly because out of the situation regarding Tibet, but also because China is generally corrupt and secretive. Sometimes life's road leads one where you did not think it was possible and I have despite my objections to the country we find ourselves in creating great memories and enjoyed the time in Chengdu. Beijing will be interesting, to say the least.

While I am sitting in one of the hostels so-called "Cozy corners"and writing, Luke is outside on the porch with our newfound friend Michael. A very strange but nice guy from Canada. Before we step on the train at ten o'clock tomorrow night, we will see each other for dinner and drinking beer. If I know Luke, we will end up at McDonald's ...
But I will not throw stones in glass houses, I will not argue with him, all glory to McDonalds!

I will now soon go to bed in our room, that after a certain number of keystrokes at the AC remote, actually has adopted a comfortable bedroom temperature. It would be nice to have a good night sleep since we are moving forward for new adventures tomorrow.