XiangYang

October 31

I've attempted to keep up with a diary or a journal many times in my life but have never been disciplined enough to keep up with it. This has been the longest stretch for me thus far. One of the motivations for keeping up with the journal on my trip this time is because places and days all blend in after a while and it's hard for me to keep track. So write I must.

My train yesterday was a bit late but Fred was right outside to pick me up. He told me that he just stepped out of an evening meeting with some architects over new real estate developments and would have to return. So yes, I got to go and listen in. The meeting was in mandarin and they showed a lot of drawings. That's as much as I gathered. Oh and the fact that people smoked in meetings.

Today is Halloween and for the first time ever I was not busy trick or treating or passing out candy. Seeing pictures of everyone's kids dressed in costumes made me miss Riley. He's Captain America this year.

Fred and I had lunch with his childhood friend Ms. Zhang, who also happens to be his boss. We had some delicious congee followed by a walk at this state park that's famous for being the site that this military strategist lived. He was so good that the emperor personally seemed him out 3 times to recruit him.

Afterwards, Fred had to go to work so Ms. Zhang and another good friend of Fred's had dinner with me. Despite not speaking a common language, we still had lengthy conversations. One skill that I have enhanced during this trip is my communication - both verbal and nonverbal.

After dinner we decided to get foot massages. I've come to appreciate massages since I've been in China. Then another friend named Ms. Li joined for ktv or karaoke as we call it. Ms. Li, or Stacy, teaches English to children so she was able to act as an interpreter for everyone. Overall a pretty fun day with new people.

November 1

I can't believe it's November already and that I've been gone for a month. Some days feel fast and some slow. I guess thats just the nature of travel.

Fred had to leave for Wuhan early in the morning...a similar repeat of Shanghai where he left me his key. This time I would hand it to one of his friends when I leave Xiangyang.

Stacy was kind enough to show me around today. The weather was a bit cold and rainy but we still walked everywhere. I finally got to try the local specialty - spicy beef noodle soup and it was indeed spicy! We walked everywhere and Stacy shared the history of Confusing and how it used to be two cities that were separated by a river but now they are united as one city. Similar to Xi'an they have city walls and gates to keep out intruders. Additional they have a moat. We met up with Stacy's cousin Andie for lunch. Andie is a university student studying English. After lunch we went and got hair washes. It's quite popular in China. For 15 rmb you get a relaxing head massage and wash. The guy who dried my hair said that my hair was getting long and I would look better with a haircut so I went ahead and let him cut it.

November 2

Started the day with a hike up a mountain with Stacy and her boyfriend. I got to ride in Stacy's electric bike. Almost everyone has one because it's affordable and convenient while navigating the busy streets of China. I asked her if I could ride her bike and she laughed. It's quite fun. I felt like a kid riding it in the parking lot.

The hike was quite nice and the mountain air was a good change from the smog that I have grown accustomed to. At random times I would hear primal screams as we ventured up the mountain. I was told that it's a call of the wild thing for men and that if you scream, someone will respond back with a scream. So naturally I tried and of course I got a response back.

We met up with Ms. Zhang for lunch. She bought me some special tea as a gift. I tried to refuse but to no avail. They have all been so kind and generous to me. Ms. Zhang also happens to be Ann's cousin, who I met in Shanghai. For lunch we had turtle : ) so soft and delicious. We had also picked some wild flowers by the mountain during the hike and I was told that they make a good tea. We asked the restaurant to brew the flowers during lunch. The taste was a very pleasant bitterness!

in the evening, Stacy and her boyfriend took me to the train station. Despite my reassurance that I'm used to trains in China, Stacy still worried for my safety and personally escorted me to my sleeper on the train. Again, the kindness of new friends never ceases to amaze me.

I'm bound for a 17 hour train ride to Guangzhou. I have not been successful in contacting Uncle Chan, Uncle Yeung, nor Peter from my Beijing tour. They are all oh n Guangzhou now so hopefully we can meet up. I am looking forward to going back to the home of where my ancestors are from know Guangzhou.