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Menzhe Market
The Menzhe Sunday market must be seen to be believed. (
Photos ) There are over 20 different ethnic minorities living in small villages scattered through the jungles of the Yunnan Provence many of which are a full days hike to the nearest road. Short of trekking into the jungle to live with them the second best way to see the color and variety of their many cultures is at the market where they come to buy, sell and trade local produce. For many villagers this is the biggest town they have ever seen and they may only make the trip a few times a year.
We arrived in Menzhe on Saturday afternoon after four days of trekking through the jungle to small villages. Menzhe is a small town but the comfort of a nice hotel with electricity and hot water was a welcome experience. Especially because we would need to wake up at the crack of dawn to see the market open. It would be over by 11 am. So after a hot meal and shower I let the woman who ran the hotel give me a quick and not to gentile shave and it was off to bed.
I woke as the sun rose and went out on the the balcony that overlooked the main street. It was already full of tractors, trucks and live stock headed for the stalls. I went and banged on Xiangs door and we headed down to the street. The next four hours we wandered the market eating and taking photos. The rest of this story is continued in the
photo album...
- posted at 4:18 AM Friday, September 12, 2003
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Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek
Just got back from a 5 day trek through the ''Tiger Leaping Gorge.'' Even thought it rained for half the time it was a great experiance to meet the Naxi people in their own villages. I am proud to say that the 18 KM hike that most people do in two days and one night took us a total of 5 days and 4 nights. The views were great but the real hilight was the local people living in the small "villages" on the steep hills above the gorge. We stayed in great family run guest houses run by local Naxi familes compleat with children and grand mothers.
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- posted at 3:18 AM
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Friday, September 05, 2003
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Back in China, Zhongdian
First stop, the Buddhist monastery to see the "Biggest sight in town."
After wandering around a bit and chatting with the monks who were building and painting a new building, I headed for the main hall. As I was entering, a Chinese tour group was entering as well. I stopped to see if I could understand any of what the guide was saying. She was speaking Putonghua, so I could get about every 8th word. Not enough to make any sense, but good practice all the same. As I was listening, a few of the tourists smiled and said Hello?to me. Then one began to translate for me. I did not ask her for any help, but in very good English, she volunteered to help me out. I said Hello in Chinese and complimented her on her English, and she replied with a startled, "You speak Chinese?!" No, I replied, Just a few words.
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- posted at 6:00 AM
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Thursday, September 04, 2003
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Leaving Lhasa
I woke up yesterday and decided it was time to move on. So I changed my plane ticket last night and here I am back in "China." The whole "police state" thing was getting to me. Being surrounded by such oppression can get a bit depressing. It can also be confusing.
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- posted at 2:07 AM
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