I stayed in Urumuchi for 5 days, didn't go anywhere particular but mostly hung around the northan area where my hotel was located, and around the consulate of Kazakhstan.
I applied visa of Kazkhstan on Monday, got it on Wednesday. They didn't charge any money. I noticed later, still wonder if that was OK.
I got a replacement of my palm which my sister sent me, after asking around and going around 4 different post offices. Great relief to my forgetful brain.
I found good bicycls shops, changed worn out parts of my bike and got spares. Again none of the shops sold oil for chain. I wonder what people do for maintenance.
There were many outdoor shops around the hotel, probably because of the high moutains in the province. "Made in China" goods were comparatively cheap, especially clothes and sleeping bags. I found a sleeping bag for winter which was useful till -20 degrees, couldn't resist buying it. It was really good price for me. Yet it is secret to my wife.
There were also lots of restaurants, shops or markets. I ate a lot, drunk beer (3 yuan a large bottle) or wine (6 yuan, suger added) every night with watching Olympic games on TV, sometimes during the day too, felt myself quite lazy at last. I enjoyed the city life since the days in Seoul, but it was time to move my lazy ass.
I left the city in the evening. Sun was setting already.
14 Aug 2008, 昌吉, 5845km (55km away from Urumuchi)
