Emma was my ride partner from Xian to Liuyuan while cycling across China's Silk Road in 1998. She got to the edge of Xinjiang and the Taklamakan before desert heat and dryness overcame her nordic metabolism. But the accomplishment of traversing more than 2,000 kms of the Silk Road. From Liuyuan she bused and trained her way to Turpan, then long-hauled it on the train back to Beijing where, a few weeks later, she completedthe Beijing Marathon. I guess she let China know who's boss! Oh, her name can be translated in Chinese to "Lovely Horse", a rather poetic image she quite likes. She was less impressed when I pointed out that it could also mean, "Lovely Mother" or, simply, "Lovely?" You've just got to be careful about how you pronouce the tones...
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