I lie windbattered and a bit confused in a tin shack at a parking spot on the freeway between Dunhuang and Guazhou. I am safe, and alone inside, listening to the wind howling outside. The headwind was dramatic as Achun and I crawled forward through the sheets of sand and dust to the first sign of life since leaving Dunhuang. And then Achun said that he was leaving, and didn’t want to cycle with me.
A windy melon stand
I am at a loss, and sad that Achun has left. I don’t understand why. He was a bit distressed yesterday evening when I really couldn’t eat what I had taken at the all-you-can-eat buffet. A ‘food-wastage’ fine hung over my head, but my western stomach couldn’t eat what I had foolishly taken. Was it my irritation when fixing a flat tyre just after we were about to leave this morning? I may never know. Anyway, I’m cycling alone again..
We stayed for 2 days in Dunhuang, resting and visiting the famous sand dunes. And they are huge! They rise hundreds of metres above the town – just the right thing for me. I’ve always loved running up and down sandhills.
The vast sandy expanse
The top of the sandhill
On the way up
arctic-cycler.com 
Parting is always such sweet sorrow… it may have just been his time to be alone again. Undoubtedly, you’ve processed it all by this point. Have you heard from him since, did you exchange emails?
Yes. We are in contact on Facebook. Still don’t understand, though.
😦 Maybe someday you’ll be able to ask him. It may not be anything that you did, but something within himself.
Western minds vs. eastern minds. Just keep in mind. 😉
Yes. That is right!