So, we're here. The internet isn't anything like Xi'an. I'll download a few photos and let them speak for themselves.

Suffice it to say that I am enjoying Kashgar much more than I did last time. Kashgar was a let down after crossing the Torugart Pass in 2003. The city has changed as well, sadly, the area just in front of the Id Ka mosque has changed, for the worse, and all the kiosks, hawkers and touters are gone. Gone are the days when a guy would be pushing his cart full of goat's head soup, yelling at the top of his lungs, "hoosh, hoosh, hoosh," through a massive crowd of people. A carnival-like atmosphere if I ever saw one.

The Chinese, as I reported in 2003 demolished much of the old city next to the Id Ka mosque. While I was there the Uighur's were rioting as the wrecking balls hit homes.

To the Chinese credit they have upgraded the facilities. They are more modern, but they've lost that Ye Ole Kashgar wooden look. Kashgar looks more like Xi'an now than it does Sultanhamet in Istanbul. And that is a change for the worse.

But the Uighurs. Wow. Their eyes are amazing. I'd forgotten how enchanting Turkish eyes are.

Today Dad saw his first Bactrian Camel, you know, the one's with two humps instead of one, and a much smaller beast to boot.

The photos are here. More soon.