Camp has been quiet lately, as they work to uncover a large and heavily overgrown area they believe may be the remains of a fort along the wall. I am ashamed to say I thought forts were very few and far between, but there is another up the road only 18 kilometers away. One of the dig team members told me that one is believed to be a newer addition built by the Ming dynasty though, not one of the original structures. My ignorance of the wall in general is rather embrassing truth be told. I've been meaning to corner Aria and drill her about "Wall" specifics one of these days, but everyone is so busy with the finds and just trying to trace the wall's ancient footsteps.

Aside from the pleasure of working with the team members, my main interest in taking part here was to learn more about ancient China, and I have done that. Ji Song lent me two books discussing Han dynasty histories and Aria says she has a great non-fiction book that is very indepth on military concepts of the Qin dynasty (a dynasty of one I believe?) and Han.

Also, Lotus tells me she has some great reading for me in forensic science! Now that is an interesting topic. Apparantly in her study of human fossils and remains, occasionally she is called in to excavate what turns out to be more recent deaths. I saw someone mention something about Bosnia to her once, and her eyes cloud over with some emotion I cannot name. I and the others hovering around her (she is an interesting woman and new to the dig, so I admit we congregate around her like mosquitos sometimes!) all left the subject, sensing something painful there. I am forevor the nosey one about, but don't like to delve in painful issues. However, I do have a very precious bottle of scotch I'm hoping to loosen her lips with one night. One of these days, they will badly need a break and hopefully will relax in my tent so we can get to know each other better.

Even though camp has been very quiet, I do not mean to imply there is nothing at all going on. Last week there was a great commotion in the kitchen (which in truth is just a very old tent, often dirty and run by a large man who insists everyone call "Mr. Head Chef" He is not a particularly good cook, my 5 year old nephew may be able to best his some of his soup recipes, and he's one of those wild antics types that speaks with his hands waving everywhere. Usually knocking about pots and pans as he goes. Odd man.

Anyway, something was afoot, he was bellowing at something and the clanging of falling pans and other foodstuffs could be heard throughout the camp! After I saw a dark reddish blur that I could swear was a fox. I dont believe they make squirrels that large, and it had a very fine large bushy tail. Quite lovely actually, there is something about foxes I've always liked. A cleverness or.. can't put my finger on it. Anyway, later that evening I strolled outside to watch the sunset (I'm a bit of a romantic that way) and could have absolutely sworn I was being watched. Looking to the far right of camp, I thought I saw a pair of gleaming animal eyes. I should have been frightened maybe, but didn't sense any reason to fear them. Only time will tell if I was wrong in that sentiment!