We arrived in beautiful and very flooded Guilin yesterday after a very long train ride. There is flooding all across this region and the water level in the Li River is at a record high. Yesterday Guilin received 6.34 inches of rain in one hour. I'm not sure if we can take the bamboo raft down the river today as planned because of the water level. When we arrived we were met at the train station by Sheri and her wonderful and very adventurous family from Portland! They took us on a wild walking tour that we would never have dared to sign up for willingly, but it really pushed our boundaries and I am so thankful we did! We jumped in to Guilin with both feet! We walked all around busy markets and rode a bus and we were initiated into the sounds, smells, crowds, traffic, and reality of mainland China. Sheri gives great lessons on crossing the street in China. Everything they tell you about crossing the street here is an understatement. There is nothing to compare. Also to my friends on RQ it is true you must prepare your (non-Chinese) children for staring, pointing, and requests for photos. My kids have enjoyed it and taken it in stride, it is an opportunity to practice speaking Chinese. We walked around a lovely park and Jake said this is his favorite city in the world. He took these photos:
These are Guilin Noodles that Guilin is known for
More Guilin updates later!
More analysis, more photos, more reflective commentary - I'm craving the details that I wish I was experiencing with you! Where are you staying there?
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging, what a lucky break to find this here toward the end of my work day.
Wait until you get to an even larger city and try crossing busy roads. You'll really wonder about the double-decked city streets as you cab through parts of Guangzhou.
Muncle
Dear Ava and Jake,
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having fun in China!The places you visited are beautiful and the seem really cool! I bet your excited to meet your new sister! :)
~Kathie
Wow, how great to watch your picture again and again. Look at Eva's happy face and Jake's excited face they are really enjoying your vaction/trip.I love your pretty pictures. I feel like I am in Gulin with you and eating that yummy noddle.:) It's great you have this blog to connect.
ReplyDeleteQing Qing
So glad you made it to Guilin safely! Tell Jake his photos are beautiful! Can't wait to see and hear more. It is quite different on the mainland!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the gorgeous country side- stay well!
xoxo
Laurie
Hey Marla
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for sharing such a wonderful experience with us . After the adventurous travel into the city with all the water around , I can't imagine how excited you must have been to meet Sasha.
Lovely pics.
Kirti