My time in China is running short. Having decided to spend a few extra days climbing in Yangshuo, I’ve just caught up with HotRock in Kunming. We’ll be working routes in a canyon to the north of the city for a few days, and then heading for the Vietnam border. The brevity of this timeline gives me pause.

Sadly, I don’t really feel like I’ve paid enough attention to China, which is odd given the way over-land travel confronted me in India and Pakistan. It was hard not to have a restive experience with India; it’s in your face, day in and day out, whether you like it or not. Pakistan was a rush of nerves and relief, beautiful, serene. But other than really liking the place, I haven’t had a strong reaction to China. The travel has been pleasant – good roads, comfortable accommodation – and the people mostly indifferent to Westerners. Maybe the fact that a reaction is missing is more about China’s character than mine, but I nonetheless feel like I’m leaving empty handed. There is much more to discover here and the culture is evolving so rapidly that I cannot help but want to come back, and soon.

When I was having my first thoughts about this trip, Vietnam was in the front of my mind. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’ve been looking forward to visiting for a long time. Crossing the border will be a little bittersweet, though, in that Vietnam will likely be my last stop with HotRock. There is a very good chance that I’ll be taking a climbing job on HaLong Bay for a few months while the HotRockers carry on to Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. I’d been searching for a reason to slow my pace through Vietnam when this opportunity came my way. Serendipity, yes, but also an emotional break from my friends on the truck. Still, if things – the job, the climbing, the people – on HaLong are as good I expect them to be then there should be plenty of wonderful experience to replace what I’d otherwise be missing on HotRock.

Christmas and New Years are just around the corner. Exciting things are happening. Hope you’ll be spending them with people you love. I will.

~br