我们坐公共汽车坐了很多的小时。

Indeed, the second half of Chunjie break can be characterized by many, many hours of bus rides.

I was invited to go with two other guys to a city called Da Tong (大同) two visit two sites: Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple (Xuankong Si), two sides west of Beijing that we missed on the group tour. It was really refreshing to break out of the group, and both places were absolutely amazing. Here are a few pictures.

Yungang Grottoes is home to the third largest Buddha carvings in the world. Remember when the Taliban blew up Buddhas that were carved into a mountain in Afghanistan? Same time of thing. There are many, many caves here holding thousands of Buddhas of various sizes. The ones pictured above and below are two of the largest, the one below now being exposed, as the cavern that contained it has eroded/collapsed. It's difficult to convey the feeling I got approaching these things, at least 60 feet tall, carved over 1500 years ago.

After a less-than-memorable (well, memorable, yes, but not particularly enjoyable) evening in Da Tong, we took public transport (not all that different from the microbusses in South Africa) to another city and found our way to the Hanging Monastery, literally built on the side of a mountain. Curiously, the temple contains Buddhist, Confusion, and Taoist elements (see the picture below).

Overall, the trip was a profound experience...and worth a good 12 hours total in transport, I suppose.

The Chunjie break is nearing its end, and Beijing is showing signs of regaining its normal hum: students are returning to campus, stores are reopening, and homework is due. I'm feeling rested, though, and ready to re-enter the routine. It's time, I suppose. So my days of gallivanting in neighboring provinces have come to an end for the time being, and my days of coffeehouses have returned. I guess I don't mind...just talk to me in a week or so.

I hope this finds you well, and that the Year of the Pig has already brought you luck.