days 2 & 3

sorry i never got on yesterday but we were otherwise occupied :). this is going to be short b/c i am tired and it is 8 and never had lunch. i think room service is in order so i can have western food and then take a shower and collapse in my bed BEFORE 1130 (which is too late for 5 days in a row when you have to get up at 730) :).
yesterday we went to the an ning station (outpost of sorts) of the orphanage. it is where we went last year... kind of a foster home center. we got to see not only the desks and curtains we bought them last year, but also the dividers (amongst many other things). they are basically the coolest dividers i have ever seen. if the internet was faster i would upload them now but it is slow so you'll just have to wait.
we also got to visit 6 foster families in their homes; a village around the center. very substinace agriculture. there is no one between age 16 and 56 there. they have all left for the opportunies in the city- there is no way to get ahead in the country. at the same time, it makes for a good atmosphere for the older people to raise the children, most of which have some disability, be it physical, mental or both.
today we went sightseeing in turpan. interestingly, everything was different (maybe we saw different parts) than last year. one of the most interesting parts of the experience was the bathrooms, or lack thereof. i did take a picture of the one restroom; the other highly interesting spot was over a creaky bridge behind this random shed/building that had more mini-creeks running by. uh-huh. fun times. oh how i love squatting in weeds when it is plainly evident that MANY others before me have done the same!
it was a very hot day with lots of walking. we didnt feel safe eating out in turpan so we didn't. it's a good thing i had way too much breakfast.
alrighty, i'm going to try AGAIN to get on yahoo then it's upstairs for the night.
oh! if any of you ever find yourself in urumqi, may i reccomend the yin du hotel? it is excellent!
zaijian and goodnight!