Either someone had translation problems, or Hunan is only ten metres wide
I am writing from Yuping, an official Dong minority administrative region, in Guizhou province. Despite bearing the name "rich province" (named after a range of mountains, not for its literal meaning), Guizhou is one of the poorest provinces in China. It is home to the Miao minority, as well as some Dong and a few others.
It snowed all night.
When I got on the road this morning, much to the protest of my host, there were three inches of slush and snow everywhere. There are no ploughs here, and no salt. It took me three and a half hours to struggle the 30 kilometres to Xinhuang, what should have been an hour and a half ride.
It snowed all night.
When I got on the road this morning, much to the protest of my host, there were three inches of slush and snow everywhere. There are no ploughs here, and no salt. It took me three and a half hours to struggle the 30 kilometres to Xinhuang, what should have been an hour and a half ride.
I was resigned to being stuck in Xinhuang, but by the time I had finished lunch, the weather had warmed slightly and the road cleared enough to bike properly. I got back on the road, and biked past the Guizhou border to Yuping. The afternoon was damp and cold, but at least bikeable.
The first thing I noticed about Guizhou was the food, which changed the instant I crossed the border. The favorite of street sellers seems to be parsley dipped in batter and deep fried.
There is little difference between a minority region and anywhere else. Minorities are allowed extra children, so I saw frequent PSA signs encouraging the voluntary one-child lifestyle.
The first thing I noticed about Guizhou was the food, which changed the instant I crossed the border. The favorite of street sellers seems to be parsley dipped in batter and deep fried.
There is little difference between a minority region and anywhere else. Minorities are allowed extra children, so I saw frequent PSA signs encouraging the voluntary one-child lifestyle.
'If China's society is to be harmonious,first we must resolve the population problem.'
A cabbage truck overturned in the ditch
I slept almost 11 hours last night. I always thought electric blankets were kind of silly, but in a land without much heating I have learned to respect them deeply.
My body felt a good deal better today, but I still have some major problems facing me. I cannot keep biking in weather like this morning. In addition to being painfully slow, it is also dangerous. I fell off my bike twice this morning, and although I was fine, I know from experience how easy it is to break an arm or a foot. This is not the time or place to take that risk.
The weather report calls for snow, snow, and more snow. If the roads are bad tomorrow morning, I will wait and see if it melts by late morning. If it does not, then I am stuck here for now.
My body felt a good deal better today, but I still have some major problems facing me. I cannot keep biking in weather like this morning. In addition to being painfully slow, it is also dangerous. I fell off my bike twice this morning, and although I was fine, I know from experience how easy it is to break an arm or a foot. This is not the time or place to take that risk.
The weather report calls for snow, snow, and more snow. If the roads are bad tomorrow morning, I will wait and see if it melts by late morning. If it does not, then I am stuck here for now.
Regards,
Niko
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