It's a little odd to be posting my trip blogs under these circumstances, with the earthquake news all around us. But China's a huge country, and though apparently half the population of the entire place felt some swaying or tremors from the quake, actual damage is limited geographically. The only effect up here -- now I'm in Lanzhou -- is the sight of convoys of army trucks on the highway taking relief supplies south. So if it doesn't seem too callous, I'm going to continue the trip posts, just as, after consideration, we decided to continue the trip. Remember, the Shanghai and first Xi'an posts are from before the quake.