happy new year!

the chinese new year is on the horizon. there are many fireworks in the
streets. everone is coming together to be with their families, much like
we do for christmas.

yesterday i rode from suixi into the countryside, but the wind was very
hard and i was feeling tired. thankfully a man my age stopped by me to say
hello. we talked for a while and made friends. we were close to his home
and he invited me over for lunch. i met his family, who are farmers. i
stayed at his house and set off for gonguang. with my spirits heightened
having made a new friend, i rode very fast and made it here (gonguang in
only a few hours).

i found a cheap hotel and went for a walk. before i knew it i made another
friend and was having tea at his family's house. his mother cooked us a
delicious dinner and now we are going to watch some american movies at his
friends house (where i am now). i want to write more, but everyone is
sitting around waiting for me to finish so we can watch a film on the
computer.

tomorrow i will set off for hepu. it will be a short and easy ride, i
think. i will stay there for a few day, becuase much of the stores and
hotels in the countryside are closed for the holidays. then i will hve
more time to write e-mails. (i think, if the web cafes are open then).

know that i am well. hope you all are too. best, charlie