Day 5: Pingxiang to Dongxing, a perfect ending.

Dongxing was not originally part of this trip. Many coincidences have led to a perfect ending. Today, I traveled more than 200 km on a national highway. Although I consider myself an experienced traveler, I didn't realize that this was the last section of National Highway 219. When I reached the end of the road, I arrived at the border between China and Vietnam. I suddenly realized that today's temporary change of itinerary had led me to complete the entire National Highway 219 from Kanas to Dongxing. From my first trip on National Highway 219 from Dingri, Tibet to Kashgar, Xinjiang, to today's last 200 km, I have been traveling on this highway for 22 years. When I finish the section of National Highway 331 from Manzhouli to Erlianhot this summer, I will have completed the three national highways that circle the country. Many times, it is like this. A perfect ending is achieved by accident. Let me talk about my feelings about Dongxing. Yesterday, I mentioned that some people said that Pingxiang is not as prosperous as Dongxing. Maybe it is because I am on the outskirts of the city, but in terms of prosperity, it is not much better than Pingxiang. These two cities have completely different feelings. Although both are border cities, one is surrounded by mountains and the other by water, creating two completely different styles. The peacefulness of Pingxiang and the comfort of Dongxing are both perfect places to rest after a long journey. The streets of Pingxiang at night are full of life, but the seaside of Dongxing at night is different. Even though the food stalls are brightly lit and bustling, the seaside on the other side is still full of people strolling at a slow pace. On the road, I saw a man selling coffee during the day and stopped to chat with him. I learned that he and his wife drive a coffee truck around the country. Selling coffee is more of a perfect explanation for their free lifestyle. At night, by the sea, the man selling coffee sat by the car, looking like a statue in the light. I don't know his past, but I envy his present and hope to have a future like his.