A word about the cold!!

A quick word on the ‘Cold’ of China, with wind blowing down from Siberia and Mongolia the temperature can fall to well below freezing and regularly below -20. This is Freezing in a whole new way as the air is also incredibly dry - there is no snow or ice, just freezing temperature and biting wind. This makes any exposed skin instantly dry and brittle (I lost use of my fingers within 30 mins without gloves and could not do up my laces!!) but even with gloves my hands become covered in a fine network of white crusted lines and have a dry crusty feel to them. As you breath out your beard instantly collects the frozen moisture and you end up with frosting over your face - Truly it is COLD here.