Aside from a collection of zombies who surrounded us near the train station, the people in Luoyang were really cool. We found great (super cheap) street food to eat, I got a haircut, and we had a posh hotel (by our standards) to stay in. The Longmen Caves were pretty cool and our overall experience here was a positive one.

What We Learned

 

1. Many of the Buddha faces on statues at the Longmen Caves were smashed off during the “Cultural Revolution.”

 

2. Traveling with a portable GPS system can be a lifesaver when lost.

 

3. Be ever vigilant around your belongings. Move if you feel uncomfortable.

 

4. When necessary, try to find a restaurant with an electrical outlet to recharge your gadgets before long train trips.

 

5. Apparently, the correct hair style for me resembles something from “Mad Men” (see below).

 

6. Too many firecrackers and too much excitement can cause car crashes. (see below)