The Apricot Farm Adventure Part II

...Continued from part I. After we finished our snacks we continued back down the hill towards the two young boys' village. From there I found out that they wanted to take us to a nearby park that was even higher up, so we rode over there, checked in our bikes at the gate and began hiking up stairs and hills. The views were nice but you couldn't see much of the city because of the weather. (see more on the hills adventure at the bottom).
After we had another snack we descended and said "bye" to our young friends, who wanted to stay and swim in a nearby lake. It was at this point that one of my local pengyou (friends) asked if we could ride over and do one errand for his work before we began the long trek home. "Sure", I replied, wearily noticing that we were still going AWAY from our area. It wasn't until a little while later, away from the foothills that he pointed to our destination: a skyscraper that was perhaps an inch tall because of the distance, (going slightly uphill of course)! Well, I hung in there and we made it.
The other friend waited outside with me since they didn't allow foreigners into that building, and finally we began the long trek back home! With my bicycle gear options slightly limited (I had none) on my fancy bike my American legs finally gave out and I walked it back the last few blocks of the journey. But we made it and with our fruit, too! I hope to see more Fruit in the future. After we ate a meal (our journey ended up taking all day. It was past 5 or 6. We left around 8:30 that morning) I said "bye" and dragged my legs around the block to my apartment. Ahhh, what great exercise, and what an adventure! I'll have to tell you more about it someday. Please remember these friends, these places and all the people in this area.




Cow tied next to the house.












I think our small guides (hidden by my friends) are going down this alley to get permission to go to the park.

Some views after a series of stairs at the park.

In the peaceful hills we had another snack of fruit and some Asian version of Vienna sausage. After forcing the soft, thick meat down we shared some songs, as is their custom. I sang a children's song about how Yes, my Brother loves me, and had a good sharing time as we talked. My local friends asked if they could translate for the two young friends, so of course I said "Yes"!!! It was a fun time. It is amazing how we can talk to people in both the hills and the valleys. Once again, please remember all these people. I do hope to see some more Fruit! That day was quite an adventure!

The Apricot Farm Adventure, Part I

The adventure began when a couple of my local friends asked if I wanted to visit an apricot farm just outside of town. So one Saturday morning they met me and we took off on our bikes (see my cool bike below). It was supposed to take 1-2 hours each way, but it became apparent that they didn't know exactly how to get there or how far it really was. They were able to get directions multiple times to the xing (apricots), and we gradually began going more and more uphill as we drew near the mountains outside our city. The beautiful countryside and hills contrasted the squalor of the villages, but it was good to ride through and think about the people there (please remember them).
Two young boys met us and acted as our guides/companions for much of the journey in this area, until we at last arrived at the farm and collected some different kinds of fruit. But the journey had only begun....

(My "new" old 1-speed bike. There are actually some very nice bikes in the city. I'm hoping its age and the fact that people are not supposed to sell used bikes here anymore will keep thieves from stealing it (there is a built in lock on the rear wheel, and I keep it in my building, plus I ask Father for help). I've come to appreciate the handy, stylish basket. People often let passengers ride side saddle on the small platform behind the seat. I have done this a few times on friends' bikes but it's not the most comfortable way to travel. (So far I've only tried to ride w/one teenager on the back of my bike and I almost crashed after 2 seconds.) It's better w/some of the newer bikes w/larger , padded seats.)












Shepherds in the field reminded me of some of my favorite stories...

View of our Mountains

Horses grazing far below (left picture).

Up, up we go, into the hills and through villages...

At last, with the help of two small boys we reach the apricot farm. Some other kids were there, too.

We saw several kinds of fruit, but that wasn't what the big journey was really about.

"Meiguoren!" ("American!")

"Lao wai!" (traditional term. Lit. "Old foreigner!")

1st snack with my friends and our little guides. We got to dig into the fruit! One of the kids started drinking a can of beer (provided by one of my local friends) The "Wai jiao" (foreign teacher) let them know quickly (in a subtle manner) that they should drink shui (water) instead. I was impressed with how quickly they all caught on. They drank bottled water the rest of the trip.

Some remarkable views. The flowers to the right were HUGE!

I thought that our journey was almost over, but there was much more to come. Stay tuned for "The Apricot Farm Adventure Part II"!

City Park

Funny cartoon character boats to the right...

City Walk 3

Today's "tour" covers a couple Buddhist temples and the surrounding area. I learned that it's becoming a fad to visit temples, so more people are seen here than in the past few decades. Please keep all of this in your thoughts.
Note to parent's of small children: You may want to look through this before your kids do. Some images are a little creepy (see note on masks at bottom).

Comic relief, typical funny translation...

My image and the camera's flash are being reflected off the glass covering an ancient star chart. Food sacrifices are laid before it.

Anti-tall person stairway!

Monk watching as they "make more gods".

Traditional Costumes outside the temple.

The monks received the ideas for many of these images, including these masks, from visions. The images are almost always grotesque and portray suffering, torture, human sacrifice and death. Definitely not the "peaceful religion" that has been sold to the west. It is a sobering place...