This was the most industrial, dirtiest city I have visited so far. Urumqi is the most polluted, combustion-like city I have experienced so far on this trip. Full of Silo’s burning black soot and God knows what else- Its muddy, cold, slushy and wet but perhaps I should give it more credit because I only visited in the winter. I was haggled by bored taxi drivers outside the train station when I arrived and was taken to a warm hotel, and was blessed by meeting the clearest English speaking Chinese so far- Catherine! She is incredibly bright, and I left Uruqmi feeling sadness for her. She would be a scholar if she were in a Western country but due to the Chinese life, she was quickly married, settled for a married life and put her PhD in Philosophy in her treasure box, and instead took a position behind a reception desk at my hotel.
We have remained in touch, and it is because of these people that I have met on my journey that my life has been altered forever. She was most helpful during my whole stay- and so was her husband.
It snowed on the 2nd day in Urumqi and suddenly made Urumqi very beautiful and ethereal. Amazing how snow can just add a touch of softness to everything!
I organized my visa for Kazakhstan and was by no means sticking around in Urqumqi any longer.
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