It feels very weird. It felt very weird to be finally going to China, and now it feels strange to be leaving again. Last night I didn't do much, my stomach was a little funny but not too bad so I stayed in and read a book I had bought for the plane trip. As I finished it, had to go and buy another today. Today I've been running around very busy sorting out last minute stuff and trying to get hold of some things. Very warm again today too. Not looking forward to a third winter in a row! Have managed to get a nice tan in the last weeks, which is certainly preferable to the look I was sporting before that- white with very tanned face and hands. All the Chinese women try to be as white as possible and wield umbrellas dangerously through the crowds to protect their complexions while trying to take my eye out.
This evening was having tea and a couple of Chinese guys wanted to get their photo taken with me (I'm such a celebrity!). A young English couple were laughing at me as he said slowly "one, two, three" and took the photo. I complemented him on his English (but in Chinese) and he looked like he was about to fall over. He said "you speak really good Chinese, we are talking and I can understand you!" Not the best complement i've ever received. I said '0h good'. I got talking to the English couple after that, which was difficult because the table of Chinese tourists next to us were singing at the tops of their voices.
Just remembered something quite important that I think I had forgotten to write earlier. The village Lige, where I have lived a lot, is about to be pushed back 80 metres. Yes that's right folks. The government has decided it is too close to the waterfront so all the houses / guesthouses / bars on the waterfront are going to be pulled down and the owners compensated and then they can choose to rebuild 80 metres back if they want. Estimates are that it will start next week and finish in September. The traditional Mosuo homes should be alright, they are built like log cabins. You can just unstack all the logs and then put them back together the same way. With modern buildings it will be more difficult. The buildings on the island (isle) itself will be unaffected- if they had to move back 80 metres they would fall off the other side of the island back into the lake (very small island). However the village will be a building site and it seems that the government might be banning all tourism to the village and island while it's going on. Island people obviously not happy that they will not have an income for four months, so they had a meeting and were going to meet with a government official. Not sure if they want to be able to try to attract tourists or also want compensation. Well, I guess I'll find out soon.
On the plane tomorrow. Home Wednesday. Will be seeing some of you very soon. xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment