Chengdu September 14, 2010

 

This is not my favorite city in China.  There is not much here to speak of.  Two great day trips for sure, today hiked to see the largest Budda in the world carved into the side of a mountain in the town of Leshan just a little south of Chengdu.  However in the city itself there is not much to offer.  Stuck here one more day before moving onto the Yangzhi River and to see the Three Gorges.  It will take 3 days to get down the river, but the sights are supposed to be amazing.  If the air/weather in Leshan on a river is much to suggest, I hope it clears up a bit, but still should  be beautiful. 

The drive today through the countryside of  Sichuan was amazing.  It really is some of the National Georgraphic shots of China.  Green and lush. Hills cut by fields and tiered for miles and miles.  Water buffalo pulling a plow.  Men working the fields in a rice paddy hat.   The scenery around here is amazing and I am looking forward to the three days on the boat to just take it all in. 

That is right, I said 3 days on the river.  I am learning from the now infamous Thailand to Laos Mekong River experience of 2008.  I have decided to make my way along another major Asian River, but when two options were offered, speed boat or slow boat, there was zero discussion needed, I am taking the slow boat, and will enjoy every single day that I am on that boat.  For everyday spent on that boat is one I am not in a contraption that might splinter and kill me!

Hard to believe that I will be home in less than a month. Bittersweet is the best word for coming home.  I will miss China, I have had an amazing year!  However I am also looking forward to some comforts of California.  Of course talking today we joked that California, U.S, these are somewhat abstract and so different from this life that I am not sure  we remember them correctly.   Also a couple of  times since leaving Beijing, we have refered to Beijing as home, it will always have a special place in my heart now.

 

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