WE'RE TOO CHEAP TO HAVE REAL SINS - OURS ARE "SIN-THETIC!"
FRIDAY! Okay, the weekend is finally here and the Riding4Beer 2011 China Tour is TOTALLY prepared! What do most people do on weekends? Well, if they're like us they SIN! Actually, we sin most days (because sinning is way fun, right?) which is why we found ourselves doing what we did yesterday. It turns out that here in Yangchou there is some temple, or pagoda, or hut or something at the top of a mountain called the "Temple of 1,000 Sinful Steps" As you climb each step up, one of your past sins is erased. Pretty simple, right?
Folks, we've tried Catholic confession, we've chanted for days with Buddhist monks and we've donated money to Mother Theresa, so we figured, why not try this. Okay, so let’s set the scene. It's been raining cats and dogs here (we know because we stepped in a poodle - yuk, yuk!) so think slippery rock stairs - 1,000 of them! Also, it's about 100 degrees here so think humid sticky hot (which usually is the sign of a good time and you have to change the sheets). And finally, let us remind you - 1,000 F'ING STAIRS!
When we finally made the top we were drenched in sweat, our legs felt like rubber and, after getting rid of 1,000 sins each, we realized we needed to go down and back up several more times to get rid of them all! We sure wish we'd done the math before climbing that god damned slippery rock stairway up that f'ing mountain to that little B.S. hut. Next time we're just gonna wander into a Catholic church, slide into a confessional and make some priest's day by telling him of our latest wild sins - it's a lot easier on our bodies, and since he can't chase alter boys anymore, it'll give him a thrill!
IMPORTANT NOTE: We are leaving this afternoon by train to Kunming (yes, we know what it sounds like - get your minds out of the gutter!) It's in the far southeastern corner of China on the border with Myanmar (Burma) and we won't be arriving until late tomorrow (17 hour trip). Reports of internet availability are spotty and unreliable. We'll try to get a post up (we like getting things up) but if we don't, assume we either can't get online, or we strayed across the border into Burma and, well, you can guess the outcome of that.... Check back daily. We'll either need your help with ransom money or we'll just be drunk in some Burmese bar!
6 PICS TODAY - COUNT 'EM - IT'S NO LIE!
Here's the damn temple's location from our hostel! Here's the f'ing temple from it's base.
Stacy before the first of 1,000 steps of sin! Kevin after a few hundred sinful steps!
At the top, but now down and back many more times! Stacy passing step 600 on the way down.
What an adventure! We really enjoy your updates. We've noticed from previous posts that you seem to always find a good internet connection and the beer bottles in the pics seem really big!!! NICE!!!
After all the steps that you have taken up and down today, we hope you haven't overdone it.
Looking forward to tomorrows antics.
Reply to this
Kevin get back on those steps! Unless Stacy climbing them with you counts for you, you may never stop climbing! Keep smiling and have fun!
Reply to this
From one recovering Catholic to another.... stick to confession. It's easier than the sinful sauna mountain stairmaster! - that reminds me of workouts with my trainer, Daniel!
Reply to this
You guys are just having too much fun. Sounds like you are experiencing a totally different part of China from the last time. What a country!! Wish we were there -- but I'll pass on the 1000 stairs!
Reply to this
Wow ok, 1000 sins forgiven. That means If I go there and have to climb the steps, I'll be 94 before I can leave again. Well I'll have to pass that climb up. Good luck with the train trip, did you say 17 hrs., and with no internet? forget that. Plane ride is the way. Good luck, and drink "Buds"
Reply to this