Last Tuesday in Turpan was a big day and so I will continue.
One of the most interesting things that we saw was the ancient irrigation system called the Karze. I thought of all the family members who have spent hours irrigating, mainly Grandpa and Uncle Ian and their helpers, and Ian with his surveying expertise. This was really a great system that has allowed the desert to be productive. The system is regarded as the third greatest engineering wonder in China after the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. It is worth studying about if anyone needs a school report. The water was brought down from the mountains to the north in man-made, underground passages. It had to be underground to halt evaporation. Then the water was dispersed in little irrigation ditches like the ones that ran all over southern Alberta in the 50's before the wheel moves took over. It was great. A real miracle of engineering. It has allowed the area to grow cherries, apricots, melons, and the grapes that are dried into raisins. How the engineers ever matched and coordinated all the underground waterways is amazing.
For supper we went to a Uighur dinner show and it was delicious, entertaining and elegant. The men in the show had many dance steps and kicks that were like Russian dancing. That makes sense since Russia is just across the border. They say "the Ruskies."
The Turpan Hotel was a 3 star and not bad at all. The service all over China is very personal and attentive.
I did barter for a blue lapis lazuli necklace and bought it, of course. A nice souvenir from a very interesting place. The lapis comes from the mountains here as does jade and malachite. Since I can't tell good jade from plastic and the malachite was too pricey, I am very happy with a great blue necklace and one that I had fun dealing with the girl for.
Keep posted,
Mom/ Grandma/ Kathleen/ Kathy
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