We are  about to begin the first legs of the Trans-Siberian Railway, first stop: Ulan Baatarr, Mongolia, where we will spend two nights at a Ger Camp (I'm not really sure either).  We are both so very excited - this trip marks the end of Asia and the beginning of perhaps the most anticipated journey of the year. Woo hoo!  Here's the plan:

• September 9^th: Depart Beijing, China
• September 10^th:  Ulanbaatar, Mongolia (2 nights plus travel)
• September 14^th:  Irkutsk, Russia (Lake Baikal-Siberia) (2 nights plus travel)
• September 18^th: Ekaterinburg, Russia (Urals) (2 nights plus travel)
• September 21st:  Moscow, Russia (2 nights plus travel)
• September 24th:  St. Petersburg (3 nights)
• September 27th:  Helsinki, Finland

Of course, this also marks the end of China, which has been amazing in so many ways - mostly unexpected. There is something I'd like to share about China before I go (with more coming later).  

Tomorrow (September 9th) is the 30th anniversary of Chairman Mao's death and today on CNN International (one of two English stations) there was a segment on Mao.  Two different sections of the segment were blacked out and we can only guess that the government was involved.  There was a specific woman that spoke in the segment and whenever she came on the screen, it went black.  This appeared to be blatant media censorship right before our very eyes.

I doubt I will ever be able to reconcile the contrasts that appear in China.  It seems to be going at light speed into the future and stumbling backward at the same time. Amazing.