quick post:Checking Boxes

Boxes checked over the past few days：

1. Hiked a glacier (check)

2. Slept at an official "Very High Altitude" (Greater than 3500 meters) (check)

3. Had a bus break down on a moutain pass in rural china (check)

4. Hitchhiked the rest of the way.(check)

So yesterday we hiked up to the Mingyong glacier, a pilgrimage site for many Tibetans (I was going to kowtow in front of the glacier like everyone else, but was too self conscious about my kowtowing ability.). A great hike, and stunning views, only slightly spoiled by the fact that I left my wallet in the car we took to the glacier, but got it back with all the money in it. phew....

This morning at 8:30 we got on the bus for the 6 hour ride from Deqin to Shangri-la, where we are now, about to catch a 7:00 sleeper bus from Shangri-la to Kunming, and from there to some famous rice terraces and rain forests. At about 11:30 on our bus ride, just after we had passed a 4300 meter pass on the mountain, and not within view of any towns or villages, we heard a large crack, a dragging noise, the bus was lifted a little bit, then stopped.Everyone got out, to find the water tank - the one that cools the brakes on the almost all-downhill-from-there ride - had simply fallen off, and there was water leaking from holes throughout the whole thing. And, while the driver removed the mangled casing and put the water tank back in the trunk, I thought to myself, "there is no way I'm getting back on that bus." Somehow, through some providence, about 20 minutes later a "bread-car" drove by - one of those little boxy things people charter to get from place to place - and Hanns and I managed to flag it down, get our gear, and hop in, heading directly where we needed to go. "Why are you leaving" the driver asked me, "马上就好了” "It'll be fine soon...". "That's ok..." I said. Anyways, all is well, and we got to Shangri-la by ways of a car with functioning brakes and a sane driver, which was nice. I really think I would have preferred to sleep outside than get back on that bus... Anyways, that's all.

再见！ Zai jian!