Costa Rica Pics Bob and Ann in Elder Hostel China Odyssey 2004

  • Sunday, April 18 - Kaili

    Early breakfast and walk to the Sunday Market which included wood workers, iron smiths, flea market, produce and butchers, ugh. It was our misfortune to get a glimpse of a dog being butchered for meat. By the time we got to the rice winery we were prepared to refuse samples because of the unhygienic conditions, gutters running with questionable fluids and high stench. Winding our way back out of the market we passed through the center of a funeral meal being consumed by about a hundred Chinese folks at tables set up on the side walks. At first Ann was uncomfortable and tried to hurry through without interrupting, but as we neared the end of the ceremony a musician playing a Lusheng stepped out and a funeral guest grabbed hands of nearby EH women to join in a line/circle dance. Pacita, Pat and Ann danced with very warm and hospitable group. Onlookers were welcoming and cheerful as funerals are celebrations in China and the women, particularly, are most gracious. These may have been Miao ethnic people but since they wore Western dress and all the folks were of similar short, slender stature with round faces and eyes, we couldn’t tell.


    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Wood Worker

    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Ethnic Shopper
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Iron Worker
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Butcher
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Folk Medicine
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Happy Vendor
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Kaili Street Scene

    After free time in which Bob stopped by an eyewear shop to have his lens put back in his glasses frames cheerfully and for free, we walked through another market near the Hotel to which we returned for lunch. Highlight of this meal was dessert of caramel coated apple slices.


    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Kaili Women
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Greens
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Eggplant
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Eels
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    View from Road to Datang

    After lunch we were bused to two Miao villages in the mountains, stopping by the roadside to admire a clear river and photograph villages on the hillsides. Before we reached Datang Village our bus was stopped by road construction several times. Jon, our local guide, jumped off the bus to move rocks so we could drive through but finally a construction truck proved to be too wide for our big bus to pass so we got out and walked up the road to our destination. Miao villagers stationed themselves along the terraced stairway up to the center square and at each level we were offered a sip of clear rice liquor which we were required to quaff or cause offense. As we progressed past the 10 or so stations sipping as little as possible of the very potent libation Ann was reeling by the time she was ceremoniously seated around the open air square where we were treated to ethnic dancing, music and pole climbing feats by costumed villagers. Bob as well as the other Elder Hostelers were also giggling and hoping we would not be challenged to any feats! The women of this town are known for long skirts and layers of silver worked jewelry from head to waist, the hand made clothing was brightly colored and heavily embroidered. Graceful and lovely, the weight of their silver did not seem to faze them. They danced with simpler dressed, muscular young men to repetitious tunes played by the elder men on traditional bamboo Lusheng organ flutes. After about 45 sweltering minutes, the final dancing drew the audience into a huge circle dance in which most of us women from Elder Hostel joined.


    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Construction on Road to Datang

    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Greeting at Datang
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Greeters at Datang
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Rice Liquor
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    House in Datang
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Reed Player in Datang
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Datang Dance
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Datang Dance
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Miao Village House

    Our next stop was at a Miao village to visit a typical home. We were shuttled across the bridge over the clear river and uphill to the village. A new Christian Church had recently been built for the village. The house was three levels, the bottom level housed the pigs and chickens, the second level was family quarters and the top level was storage for wood, grain or other crops. Trip back included more photo ops with water buffalo. Dinner was at hotel and later we had Chinese conversation with Yang.


    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Kitchen
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Dining Room
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Bedroom
    Photos by Bob Lynn
    Pantry

    Please vists today's slide show.