(Sandy)
February 19th
All is well in Guilin! We saw the sun today for the first time since our arrival. It felt sooo good…we all wanted to just bask in the warmth like turtles on a log. We were up very early this morning in Guilin in order to visit Elephant Trunk Hill, Reed Flute Cave and Fubo Hill prior to being dropped off at the airport. The story behind the Elephant Trunk Hill (a large hill that resembles an elephant drinking from the Li River) goes something like this – there was an elephant living in an area with people who did not want him around. An army was sent to shoo him out but the elephant won the battle….eventually a general stepped on his back and thrust a sword into him…the elephant would not budge and remains there to this day. On top of the hill there is a small pagoda symbolizing the sword. The area has become quite a park and also includes raft rides and a small island with peach blossom trees…evidently THE place for Chinese romance!
Reed Flute Cave is the largest cave that I have ever trekked through, and I’ve been in a few. It is so big that weddings are sometimes held inside the large natural “hall”. The hall is about a half-football field long and quite wide. Stalactites and stalagmites are beautifully lit up with intense colored lights. A good imagination and a sense of humor help to reveal a variety of characters, creatures, and items that can be seen in the grand and highly textured walls…lions, fruits and vegetables, and even JFK! I wonder if Elvis is here too??
Fubo Hill…aaaah, Fubo Hill….about 600 steps (yikes) to the top of this very steep and compact hill monument dedicated to a general with the same name. At the top there is a nice panoramic view of the whole city of Guilin. I was just hoping that I was NOT going to confirm “Dr. Lilly” and the previous days diagnosis suggesting that I should care for my heart!
The “Shanghai Five” group dynamics have sorted out into some interesting roles. Cassie has become our Navigator – usually the first to point out which direction we should be headed in (a good attribute to have if her GPS system ever fails when she is flying helicopters). Alaina’s enormous zest for all kinds of exotic foods has earned her the role of Culinary Advisor…. describing her way through every meal and challenging some to “just take a taste”! Lauren is an amazing Director of Free-Day Activities. Along with her invaluable and “secret” contact, we were made aware of “Dr Lilly” and The Cooking School…both lots of fun. At first, Alex was the Room Surveyor, but now, has morphed into THE Storyteller...keeping us all amused and informed. All have roles as the Americans that the Chinese like to stare at and have their picture taken with. And me…well….the other day, Alaina said to me, “You make friends with everybody”….I guess I’m the one who tries to strike up a conversation with anyone who wants to chat, young, old, Chinese or otherwise. A smile, a nod, and a nihao go a long way here…and that “disconcerting stare” that we get melts into a big Chinese smile when approached. By the way, Zhu Laoshi, you should be very proud of all your students!! The third year kids, in particular, are amazing.
China has changed quite a bit since the last time I was here in 2001. Although development is booming (and there are COLD drinks), for me, it is still a country of contradictions. The speed with which change is occurring simply exaggerates the contrast between the ancient and the modern.
The pace has been pretty hectic and there are moments when I feel like we are taping our own episode of The Amazing Race… but it’s all good. There is sooo much to see, experience, taste, and photo that a 36 hour day would work well on this adventure. All the best, Sandy
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