2
Days in
For some
time we had been looking for a convenient window within which to visit
I leave my
island home and catch the 6.20 ferry, which should mean I am on the mainland by
6.35. I get a call from Uncle telling me
they are ‘On the way’, and they will meet me at the restaurant. I decide not to
worry unduly about this statement, but infer they will be late? I am not
feeling too well, and had kind of hoped he was ringing to cancel – but we gotta
do this gig, so may as well go for it!
I find a
suitable table for four at the restaurant and wait … time passes.
I consider ordering food, but am sure they
will all need breakfast before progressing. Time passes…
I am
looking out for a silver Peugeot, so when a dark blue
I have been
awake since 10pm, so am hoping for a nap. However, Lo chooses the back way to
Go Ming (Gao Ming), which is a side road along the mighty west
After some
very fine ‘Blacktop’ (Road), it begins to get worse, and then worse still. The
road degenerates into a bumpy cart track that then goes through the middle of
an early morning market – complete with hawkers, dogs ambling about. Most of
the stalls either sell clothing or household items such as: doormats, stools,
and vegetables. Later we almost run over an array of people selling local
Chinese fast-foods, from pots. I would term it ‘Bizarre’, not a ‘Bazaar’.
Having successfully navigated this, and a very large truck that was coming from
the opposite direction at the same time; we progress through a factory and eventually
arrive at its main gates. Durrr? The roadway then bumps and grinds for another
few miles before we get to Goming.
Goming is
quite civilised and main city for another Foshan city district region (If that
makes sense?). We skirt the town and head for one of my favourite cities in the
whole of
We pass
through several large eating halls before being directed by a very pretty girl
in traditional restaurant gear (A side-split dress up to the whatyoumyfathers)
to a private room. I hate these places, as they are so confined and you cannot
see what is going on. There’s no ‘vibe’ here man! Anyways, I go along with it
and we have great laughs because the Manager soon works out I speak the local
language! Right! From this point on we seem to get a different girl each time,
and they all speak to me in local Cantonese, and I reply, and then they run off
giggling. I order a couple of things I really like, despite the fact that I
would rather be asleep than eating. The whole day is not dissimilar actually
hehe!
For readers
that have never experienced ‘Chinese Morning Tea’, perhaps I should explain.
This is a Chinese ritual that has been around for centuries and is ingrained
into every facet of daily Chinese life. The basic ingredient is ‘Chinese Tea’;
to which are added what I know as Dim Sum = small nibbles of things. In Canton
Dim Sum actually refers to steamed rice bread, either refined or wholemeal,
with or without a savoury or fruit filling. This time the filling was a
sweetened nuts pastiche with extra honey. Spare me at 7.20 am!
First the
waitress brings a bamboo tub of steamed meatballs, which are exceedingly
delicious. They have bits of crunchy stuff inside I conclude these are water
chestnuts. I eat two of four, and order another bamboo tub from another new
waitress : - )
Uncle asks
me if I would like a beer, and I have difficulty saying ‘no’, as things do
appear to be a tad bizarre today – but I do say no and bat on regardless. So
next up is a plate full of … some sort of Chinese leggy broccoli? They call it
‘Cheung choi’ and it is quite delicious actually. The next dish served is the
dessert, which is a fried concoction with runny milk inside. These are OK
actually, although need a little more sugar. Then a dish of Cress with
one-hundred year old egg bits, and mushrooms appears. The next dish is sautéed
Lotus roots. Then another girl brings in the entrees: Peanuts, Melon and
Carrots strips in Vinegar, and chickens feet. I pass and ask for some chillie
sauce. A girl bring the ‘Gao d’Zhee’ I ordered = large crescents of something’s
wrapped, steamed, and then fried. They are Very good, but worse than the ones
at the restaurant I started out at this morning. Uncle has ordered ‘Congee’ for
us, which the local people call ’Sik Juk’. Congee is correct in
On the way
out we pass the kitchens, which are open to view and I saunter along to take a
look. Bugger! They are making chips! (French Fries). They also have real pieces
of real meat off the bone! Damn! Yet
another reason why I hate these cubicles they call ‘Private rooms’. I missed
all this, but won’t next time I pass this way. It was excellent actually, and
cost about $8 USD for five people!
Back in the
cart, we are headed for ‘Gawd knows where’, and I am seriously up for some Z’s.
The other guy has taken over driving duties and we soon put some miles behind
us.
However,
sleeping is seriously impossible, given the excellent ergonomically designed
seats which are built for midgets. I am a large man = Hello Toyota, they don’t
work for me and are extremely uncomfortable! After trying to doze for a while,
I am jolted awake when we hit a pothole; as the fully extended top of the
headrest hammers into my neck, and after hitting my head on the roof, I catch
it again on the way down. If you think this is progress, then I want a Jeep!
The most comfortable seat I ever had the pleasure of was also in a microcar, a
Renault 4GTL = perfect. Most car manufacturers have the same problem - and
don’t get me started on ‘cattle-class’ airline long-haul seating, as these are
generally only suitable for people with about half my bulk (And I ain’t that
big either!).
Anyways, we
have now made it to the outskirts of … somewhere?
It appears
to be a nondescript city I could happily bypass, and we do. It was called
Wuzhou in Mandarin, which is Mmm Zhao in Cantonese, except the Cantonese
characters are different, but it sounds the same. Yes, we did that conversation
in the charabanc also. For me this is slightly important information, as we are
all exclusively speaking Cantonese, except for bits of English here and there.
Our new
road is the ‘
Outside
there are thousands of them, but it seems I am the only person excited about
this. I try to explain what Westerners mean by ‘Bonsai – which is Japanese’,
and am met with vacant glances and stares; as if I am a bit whacky! I certainly
am! but I do know what a Bonsai tree is, thank you Mrs Mechavity!
It appears
they don’t really do ‘small’ Bonsai trees, such as might adorn a western
sideboard or dining table. These things generally range from ‘Large’ to proper
tree size. Let’s say the presentations are between 2 and 10 feet tall. But they
are Bonsai. I delve around in the back yard, and find some exquisite pieces
that are set with scenic rocks and rivers – just like one of those small Chinese
‘Mud-works’ things, complete with ancient scribes and people who surely had a
lot more intelligence than I will ever have. I am actually getting into this
when I hear the call, and presumably we are eating here also.
But, alas
and alack, we depart for … somewhere else?
After
preparation, we hit the highway again, and then do a version of Chinese
concentric circles for a while. Beep-Beep. The others have found us and we pull
into a fish style eatery. Not more food already!
This eatery
is a rural style establishment fronted by a large courtyard or car park around
which are low buildings set to three sides. There is only one other car here
and the place appears a tad deserted. Most of our team disappear of inside to
the reception area; a higgledy-piggledy mix of tables, beer crates, other
boxes, and cages with various sizes of wild birds imprisoned within. I notice a
couple of our friends have disappeared off in the direction of a lean-to shack
situated at the corner of the courtyard, near the entrance. I presume this
constructional masterpiece to be the toilet block.
Meanwhile I
say hello to the staff in Cantonese – and am met with great enthusiasm and
shock. I am probably the first foreigner they have seen, and the first to visit
this particular eatery. The fact that I also have reasonable Cantonese is way
beyond their imagining, and immediately I am given ‘Star status’. From this you
can infer the local language spoken hereabouts in Guangzhou Cantonese. I am a
bit used to this by now, and it is like water off a ducks back. Speaking of
which, one of the cages contains what appear to be wild ducks of some form. Other
cages nearby contain similar creatures, of which some look like small brown
doves, a separate cage has tow black wading birds in it, and this is completed
by ‘A dissimulation of birds’ that look a little like sparrows. There is also a
soft shelled turtle in a bucket nearby, accompanied by what looks like a bowl
of leeches, and another full of toads.
I go
outside for a smoke and examine the contents of three sacks – from a healthy
distance. I am not an expert in these matters, but presume one sack contains
non-poisonous snakes, whilst the other two definitely contain vipers of many
colours and sizes. I am asked if I want to eat snake for lunch and having tried
the things before and finding they are basically rubbery skin with a large
central bone structure – with the possibility of slivers of meat that tastes
like ‘chicken’, I decline. The guy then kicks one of the sacks and something
rather large and venomous rears its ugly head. I certainly wouldn’t want to be
anywhere near this thing in the wild, and it is pretty pissed-off as well!
Mentioning which, I turn around only to see a large cat in a cage on the
opposite side of the path. This poor thing has given up all hope and I tinker
with the idea of setting it free. Incidentally, I have only ever once tasted
cat deliberately, and this was in
I retire
inside and order a beer. The others meander in and out whilst we wait for our
food to be prepared. Eventually we all assemble and are joined by a few other
people. The main dish is served first, which turns out to be sparrow casserole.
Oh Gawd! Someone delivers a big one to my bowl, and I crunch away feigning
interest. One likely lad sitting opposite me starts toasting beers, and then
orders more beer and a bottle of rice wine, which is made in
Upon
reflection, they actually did serve some excellent food, just not what does it
for me personally. I am relieved when this diversion comes to a close and head
out to the car park, and venture towards the ramshackled hut. Paul joins me and
I consider viewing what lies behind the alley to my right, but Paul chooses a
cubicle, and I follow suit. I then hear the unmistakeable sound of an open plan
urinal to my right, and consider this useful knowledge, should I ever have the
misfortune to be back this way again.
We hit the
road again and Paul is driving. He is a very safe driver in an unfamiliar car.
The road we are on takes us up a very long incline beset with slow moving
trucks and other obstacles. By long I mean this road hugs the hillside, and
elevates for perhaps 10 miles or so almost continuously. One part of it is
being renewed, and without any warning signs this becomes hazardous as bumpy
and unfinished repairs suddenly appear beneath your wheels and out of nowhere.
This part seems to take forever, but due to Paul’s smooth driving I do manage
to nod-off occasionally. After we hit an unavoidable pothole, I am jolted awake
to find we have reached what could be termed as some form of civilization? It
is either a large town or small city, and the latter is correct. It is a third
class administrative capital of local persuasion by the name of Ping Nan. We
cross the
Paul and I
explore with much enthusiasm, going into the fields and greeting rural farming
families tending their crops. Paul starts taking pictures with a proper camera,
whilst I snap away with my poor quality mobile phone. The full extent of this
area is fine for our intended purposes, but I worry there is a lot of existing
land already under cultivation, which means problems. I wander off an notice
the small bridge over the river hereabouts, has one span collapsed. Terrific!
However, I also espy an underpass large enough for a medium sized truck to pass
through to the other side of the main road. I ask Paul to take a picture of
this, whilst explaining the significance. He is impressed.
Back to the
car, and Lo San is back at the wheel. He picks us up from our photography
exploits a little further down the road, and we head off again for … somewhere
else? We pass through another small town and hit a dual carriageway, which is
totally blocked with traffic. I sense the driver’s unease, and he takes to the
motorcycle lane; as this road is now full of heavy lorry’s carrying rocks of
various sizes and treatment. This is one seriously long stretch of road, and
after 8 miles we reach a village spanning both sides of this road. A scooter
has collided with a bicycle, and so two of the three lanes have been closed by
local Police to further their investigations into the matter. Local hawkers are
doing a roaring trade to the slow moving traffic passing by, whilst Lo San
skilfully negotiates obstacles and we reach the nearby traffic lights. These
are actually compounding the congestion, and as we pass through, I observe the
other three roads are bare of traffic. We continue into the heart of Guangxi
Autonomous Region.
I am
actually getting into this area when we hit ‘
We reach
what could be the city centre (?) and fork left down an alleyway. This is probably
wide enough for one truck to pass, but this is
This is a
very big piece of land that is hardly cultivated. We have left the dust bowl
long behind us, and this is perfect for what we need. I stop the car and take
soil samples, whilst Paul does his ‘David Bailey’. Fantastic!
Unusually
for
I cannot be
bothered to wade out into the centre of the land as dusk rapidly approaches,
but I know from experience that even on a fine day that, if I were a local
farmer, I would not be trekking miles into a wilderness in order to grow crops
and bring them water via my own back. Perfect!
The others
probably thing we are a little crazy, but I am fulfilled. We get back in the
car and keep going for some reason. We pass through what is best described as a
rural village conurbation. By this I mean it is many villages that just happen
to be next to each other, by happenstance, and not by planning. Exiting the
other side and right a bit, we head down a dirt track that then becomes
narrower and less forgiving of the cars suspension. There is also a ‘Time-warp’
element to where we are headed, and justified as after 20 minutes of motorcycle
scrambling track later, we arrive at Lo San’s cousin’s hamlet.
This place
is excellent, and possibly a parody of what life was like in Middle England
several centuries ago. Debarking the car in the ox yard, we are greeted by
children and adults returning home from the fields riding oxen. Paul is made up
and starts snapping away with his camera immediately. I have ridden cattle
before, and find then slower and more predictable than horses. A welcome party
greets us and somebody lets off Chinese Crackers in our honour. The streets are
narrow and made of earth, and many come to their doorsteps to watch our
passing. A passing Oxherd say’s ‘Hello’ in English, and I reply in Cantonese,
which he instantly understands! Our destination is one of the top tier houses,
and we are greeted with the warmest of welcomes. I young girl of maybe 5 years
old sees me and goes into shock! She screams ‘Gui Lo’, and then runs and hides
behind a nearby stack of rice stalks. Her eyes never leave me for an instant,
and I smile and go about greeting our hosts. Passing nearby her hiding place I
say ‘Hello’, first in English and then in Cantonese. She is horrified, so I
withdraw and allow her time to view this being from what to her must seem like
‘Outer Space’.
The
rambling yard set before the dwelling has a hand pump well, although a
standpipe near the low wall has recently been added. We are encouraged to
sample the water, which tastes very good. A large area is scattered with
Chinese potatoes left out to dry. People are sometimes walking over them and
mentioning this, I am told they are the rejects and will be used as animal feed
during the winter. A gaggle of small children have now assembled to gawk at me,
and a couple manage some simple and basic English. One brave young soul even comes
and stands directly in front of me, so I say ‘Hello’ in both English and
Cantonese, then shake his hand. He is made-up and rushes back to the others
with a bad case of jitters in his legs. Dogs amble around, whilst one of our
hosts arrives with a 2-foot long fish and proceeds to prepare it for cooking on
a nearby tree stump. The dogs immediately pay attention looking for scraps.
Upon
entering their large and rambling, brick built dwelling; I am immediately met
with a rectangular sunken area that has a corresponding cut out floor to the
storey above. Water is available here, and I consider it to be a killing patch,
or something of equal importance. I do ask for an explanation, but none is
forthcoming unfortunately – otherwise I would relate what its purpose is used
for. It is the corresponding hole above that is really baffling me, and without
any block and tackle visible, I remain quite puzzled. I see more of these
during this trip, and still seek a logical explanation, as most are not covered
areas like this one, but open to the skies above. They average about 5 yards
wide by 4 yards long (No mistake), and around 6 inches deep. They come complete
with a drain or two, and have all manner of weird and wonderful items
associated with them, although obvious signs of food preparation are evident.
I am seated
immediately as guest of honour, and soon food arrives of typical Cantonese
entrée varieties. I fancy a beer, so Paul and I head out to find the local
shop. We are guided several times during our quest, only to conclude the shop
is in fact shut. Returning to our hosts, we find the main meal being served,
and the women are subsequently eating at a separate table near the kitchen –
which is a ‘Chinese Aga’ tucked into one corner. Our host’s eldest brother arrives
to watch us eat, and he is soon joined by the younger brother and a friend. We
swap cigarettes and talk in Guangzhou Cantonese. Only a few of the children
here understand Mandarin by the way, and these are the few whose parents can
afford to send to school. The nearest school is about 40 minutes away by
motorcycle, and not convenient. Otherwise children work in the fields or at
home in support of their greater family. There are signs of a new school being
built here, which is at odds with the policy of centralising education as I
know in
Now you may
say to me from the comfort of your western pad: Jonno, why don’t you be
proactive and help these people. This I am trying to do, but in a way that
suits them and their particular family circumstances. Guangxi is not a deprived
world area; it is however, a largely peasant area with many local traditions
and beliefs. It is also home to many ethnic minority groups. These I need to
help preserve at all costs! Life hereabouts is about survival and building for
future generation’s prosperity. It is dramatically more important for this
community to teach their children how to harvest rice, and how to husband oxen
– than it is for them to learn say: Mandarin (A language most of them will
never even need use of once in a lifetime).
I do
consider, (and am still considering), making a DreamScheme project just for
this hamlet. However, what little electricity they have is enough to power a
couple of light bulbs via a
Back to our
meal, and it is simple and very tasty. Our host’s youngest brother appears with
a couple of beers, and we set about eating a typical selection of Chinese rural
fare: chicken in one-million pieces, duck, pig, various cabbage things straight
from the plot outside, and rice of course. We eat our fill, and I contemplate
who will be sleeping where in this rambling building tonight. In typical
Chinese style, the meal ends abruptly and we depart.
These are
good people; and very honest, hardworking, and interested in our proposals. We
board the car and are escorted to the main road by our host on a motorcycle. He
then leads us to the local village, and after negotiating some narrow side
streets designed with oxen in mind, we arrive – somewhere else.
We are
greeted by an older couple who offer great hospitality, providing us with a
selection of nuts and fruits, and gallons of tea. We pass the time while Uncle
chats about education and Buddhism. We are then joined by his son, who has a
business air about him and an aura of decision making. We spend some time
discussing our olive proposal and then he goes off to make some phone
calls. Uncle now turns his attention to
discussing traditional Chinese characters, and with notepad handy, begins to
explain the true and higher meanings of some complicated scribbles. I have
unanswered yet important questions, so choosing my moment, join Paul and a
local farmer outside for a chat. I emphasise to Paul that I do not mean to be
rude or personal. However, to cost this project I do need to know exactly what
an average family in these parts currently earns each year, the cost of
production and price of sale for rice, and associated things. I get direct
answers and this guy is pleased to be of assistance to us. Doing some quick
maths, I conclude we could increase their annual official wages by about three
times, in bad circumstances, and by a decimal point for a great year. During
this discussion the son reappears, and I am gawked at by a gaggle of teenage
girls. Thanking this guy for excellent information, we are then scooped up into
the flow of human motion as everybody leaves. The son has great difficulty
extracting his micro-psv thingymagig from the room we were entertained in, but
eventually he succeeds. Following a rather circuitous route we then arrive back
in Peng
We pull up
outside a posh looking hotel, whose car park appears to be part of the
adjoining road. Entering we check-in and are soon shown to our rooms. I share
as usual with Uncle, whilst Paul and the other guy share one opposite. Lo San
has a room to himself just down the corridor, but we are all accommodated in
very nice rooms on the same hallway. Before Uncle has finished making tea, the
son appears with his subordinate. It turns out he is the city treasurer or
similar, and I very important person. He begins chain smoking and talking about
business. Then Lo San arrives and I try to finish a txt message to Paul without
appearing impolite. At just after 10 PM there is a knock on the door, and the
Head of City government enters. His first language is probably Mandarin, but he
soon starts speaking Cantonese so we can all understand him. Even I understand
a lot of what he is saying! He came with a small entourage of siblings, and I
worry Paul and the other guy are not with us – as it appears this business
meeting at 10 on a Saturday night, is scheduled to take place ‘Now’ in our
hotel room. As I reach for my mobile to call Paul, he knocks the door, and
parties are complete.
One of the
most intriguing things is that in deference, Chinese people always pull back the
bedcovers before they sit on a bed. This would be the antipodes of what is
polite in a Western society, but I eventually work out it is an honour for them
not to mark the outside of the duvet unintentionally. I still find this a bit
weird. Here is
The Boss of
this city is a no-nonsense kind of guy, and immediately into what matters.
Discussions are ordered and he sticks to his agenda, with suitable references
to his protégés. Basically, our plan is accepted within 15 minutes, and subject
to a firm business plan, has full government backing. I then ask certain
questions related to the farmer’s welfare during the establishment years – all
of which are answered directly and positively. That’s a wrap then!
The Big
Boss soon departs, and we sort of group and discuss our various things. I
mention that I fancy a beer, and do need to find a cash machine (ATM). No
problem! Paul and the other guy immediately whisk me away, with my intention
being to find the hotel ATM and withdraw the necessary. I am the only one who
fancies a beer, so it is not important. Reaching reception we find the counter
girls have been replaced by a night security guy who doesn’t know much and
isn’t really interested. I poke around the corridors, as this place does have a
business centre offering full office support in English, and this usually means
there is a cash machine nearby. My efforts prove fruitless, so security advises
us to use the ATM’s at the bank next door. Great!
No, not
great. The bank is a Credit co-operative of Guangxi, and I already know they
will not do international visa. The other guy insists on checking, and then
Paul has to explain to him that my card is not a Chinese one. I am ready to
return to the room, but appear to have inadvertently started a crusade for my
companions. They head off down the street looking for a suitable Bank – and
there simply aren’t any other banks. Full Stop! We hit a main road intersection
that looks like it may be the city centre, and head left. What at first looked
promising subsequently degenerates into a lower class affair. Then the
‘Hairdressers shops with no hairdressing equipment’ start to appear, and I
count 12 within fifteen retail outlets. They are full of very attractive girls
posing to attract clientele. Guangxi girls are similar in stature to Cantonese
ones, except: they tend to have squarer faces, larger thighs, and very large
things that are very interesting for boys attached to their chests. Paul then
comments that the best ones end up going to cities like Foshan. Thanks’ Paul, I
already worked that one out hahaha! This is going nowhere, so after a mile or
so, we turn around and retrace our steps. Nearest our hotel, I inadvertently
end up locking eyes with a most attractive young lady in the window of one of
these establishments. My body appears to have stopped moving, and I regain my
composure remembering I am a very happily married man to a wonderful and very
attractive young lady who is far better than this one. This same instant
happened to me many years before – one night in
We arrive
back at the main road intersection, which is also the centre for late night
eateries of undistinguished appeal. The other guy wants to complete our quest
by heading right down the main street, but I have walked miles and had my libido
surprised and severely tested. I insist we head straight back to the hotel, as
nothing worthwhile will occur tonight, and we need to sleep ready for whatever
tomorrow may inflict upon our equilibrium.
The new day
dawns and I awake before Uncle as the clock approaches 6 am. The bed is made
from sheets of rock, and I gingerly touch the cold floor and consider a
cigarette and coffee – as another part of my mind still sees a most beautiful
and meaningful pair of easy from late the night before. A great temptation and
one I id not follow. Patting myself on the back for being a loving husband and
a good boy, I soon work out the hotel room supplies stretch to a choice of red
or green Chinese teas. No coffee then! Uncle awakes and immediately heads for
an extended period in the bathroom. I hear the shower go on, and know I will
follow his lead shortly. I make him a tea and search the hotel literature
(Which is in both English and Chinese), in the hopes of finding the breakfast
menu, or restaurant location. It appears to list everything else, except these
two immediate concerns of mine. Do I need a childminder = No. Do I need the
baby changing facilities = No. Do I need a massage = Yes; available from the
third floor after 5pm. That’s out then. I do need coffee!
Uncle takes
40 minutes in the bathroom, but as we are due to meet the others at 7.30 for
breakfast, this is fine. I get to the bathroom at around 6.45, and give birth
to a dead rat or two. The shower proves interesting, as it has an extremely
slippery floor, virtually covered with a high-intensity and pointy hard plastic
floor mat. My options: 1. Remove the floor mat and fall over. 2. Leave the
floor mat in place and have sharpened needles applied to the base of my feet. I
choose the third option, which is to wedge my feet against the sides of the
cubicle, just avoiding the seriously bad mat, and sort of wedge myself into a
position where I can function. I have just got nicely wet, applied the gels
from bottles, and can’t see through the foam – when the door goes and hear Lo
San’s voice, and am then informed we are leaving for breakfast ‘Now!’ Bollocks!
I inform
them I will finish my ablutions and join them shortly. They wait patiently for
me. I am done inside 2-minutes and walk out with a hand-towel wrapped around my
large body in order to retrieve my clean clothes from my travel sack, only to
find the city treasurer in discussion with almost everybody else in our hotel
room. I am sure I am not a pretty sight, so put my shoulders back and act big
and non-plussed (Which I am not).
I dress as
they discuss education for young children, and am ready and waiting for then to
finish chatting in short time. Lo San says we should leave them to it and head
for breakfast, as we are leaving to see something very soon. Lo San is speaking
Cantonese, and hearing this, the others soon adjourn as we leave together. The
Western restaurant isn’t open for breakfast, but the Chinese Morning Tea one
is. It is ok, and has hundreds of people in attendance. I get the usual gawks
and stares + some brave young mites saying ‘Hello’ egged on by eager parents. Being
seated, everybody disappears off somewhere, so I am left alone with Paul and
the other guy. They order a semi breakfast, and I surprise the serving wench by
asking for coffee in cool Cantonese. She gives me a quissical look before
deciding she probably heard correctly, and goes to bring me the coffee menu.
They appear to offer 50 types of coffee, so I close the book immediately and
ask for a very large ordinary coffee. This is not correct, so I have to choose
a blend apparently. I have learnt that in
The City
Mayor confirms his commitment to this project - and if we are genuinely
serious; as he has since spoken to his inner circle and received unanimous
support. Note: This all happened between 11pm and 7 am – Saturday evening to
Sunday morning. I am greatly impressed by this.
Breakfast
abruptly finishes, as these things do in
I am not
beguiled by this information, and so it comes as no surprise when we arrive at
a building site for a guided tour of constructions, with the option to add a
We then
leave the ‘B Class’ roads for less travelled versions and en route, wend our
way through somebody’s back garden. We then enter a maze of Ox tracks before
detouring around a stand of quick-growing bamboo, join a Chinese rally-cross
course. Sorry, my mistake – it is actually a road transportation network.
Uncle was
suffering in the back of this jalopy, so I have swapped places with him to ease
his distress, and am now positioned in one of the ergonomically designed rear
seats designed for 2 midgets. However, we are three large men – so after the
rally-cross circuit, my shoulders are pummelled by the headrest, and the crazy
cushioning for side support is throwing my back into serious contortions – so
much so that I have to stop the car and swap to the other side. After just a
couple of hours, my back is a mess and I will need massage and time to recover
… and we aren’t even headed home yet! I could actually do with lying down in
the mud and having a Sumo wrestler walk on my back. Thank you
The dirt
track comes to a place of no furtherance, and we disgorge from the quantum
beast. I exercise to distend my contorted spine, and Uncle comments my ‘Tai
Chi’ is not very good - He will give me lessons’. Ugggh! I eventually manage to
stand up straight, and just in time to greet a lad I know and like very well –
I last saw him for lunch on my island, and took him for ‘A Likely Suspect’ even
then. Fantastic! As Brother’s in Arms, we head for his parental home.
Homes in
this village follow the courtyard layout, with several family units enclosed
within. We enter through the main door and are welcomed by the residents who
immediately offer us tea and snacks. This area is probably 16 feet long by 10
feet wide, and houses a community table and chairs. Set to either side are
family quarter’s numbers three and four. They are mirror images of each other,
featuring a single doorway which leads into a small living or community room. A
small section of this room, set to the front of the main building is equipped
as a small private kitchen. Two further doors give access to reasonably sized
bedrooms, whose purpose would have originally been for parents and children
respectively.
At the centre
of the main dwelling is a large open courtyard with sunken pit similar to the
one I saw last night. This building is single storey with a flat roof, and
whilst this overhangs the walkways, the area above the pit is open to the
skies. This pit also contains drains and is used for food preparation. There
are also other things and I find a couple of buckets filled with a white murky
liquid. I am informed this is some form of local hooch, which seems to mature
into a weak rice beer of sorts.
Entering this
quadrangle I find a passageway with occasional door to my immediate right. This
is probably not used often, as the alcove it forms is festooned with dry
tinder, pieces of wood that are mainly bamboo, and a large cylindrical
apparatus about 4 feet across and 5 feet high. This is made of galvanised metal
and I lift the lid to peer inside, but it is empty. However, I notice it is
made from 10 inch high sections that slot into place. Continuing along the
right wall are several storage sheds which lead to a passageway. This gives
access to family quarter’s number 2, and at the end is located the stairs to
the flat roof above, and a really basic toilet tucked underneath in the
furthest corner.
On the left
side of the quadrangle are the storage and preparation areas for the family
food. An adjacent stand pipe provides fresh water, and later the women use this
and the associated area of the pit to prepare vegetables for lunch. Beyond this
is a side alley to an outside door, and beyond again are family quarter’s number
one. Both family quarters one and two appear to span the alleyways, but a
single room (Or rooms) are set behind. In front and completing the quadrangle
are a couple of large community rooms. These show obvious signs of being used
as a kitchen with dining area, and a general living room.
This then
would represent a small family based community, with quarters for the main
householder and possibly his parents or brother. Grown children, probably with
their own children, would then occupy the two apartments set to the front of
the building.
I wander
back for more tea, avoiding small children running around and several dogs and
cats. One of the ‘Mama’s’, an older lady of advanced years is chasing chickens
away from the preparation area with a broom. I greet ‘Papa’ and then continue outside
where the ground is a mix of grass and hardcore. To my right is a lowland area
complete with various fruit trees and an ox taking shade. A family garden is
evident, which must supply the vegetables used by the household, and not those
grown for sale. In front of me now lie crops drying in the sun, and upon
investigation I find these to be peanuts! I did know that peanuts came from a
form of root tuber, but had never seen them attached to a plant before now.
There are some pictures of this and our trip to Guangxi here:
http://www.china-expats.com/Gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=4557
We then
assemble to take a short walk before lunch is served, and head out down a
meandering track wide enough for one person at a time. This wends its way
through other smallholdings and I pass by a hedge that is composed of
courgettes (Zucchini). Later we pass an alter beneath a very large and old
tree. Paul informs me this tree is the protector of the village, and has stood
for hundreds of years. Apparently, as long as it is alive the village will
prosper. Evidence suggests small offerings are made as thanks to this tree,
mainly in the form of joss sticks. I have no problem with this, as it shows an
inherent respect for nature and Gaia (Mother Earth).
This now
marks the boundary of the settlements, and we climb a natural ridge which
overlooks the commercial growing fields. These are tilled by oxen with wooden
plough and a single metal plough share. There will be a farm collective running
all this, and I have no idea who actually is responsible for which section of
land. You will see from the pictures the land is fertile and well cultivated.
Several villagers are tending crops, and the unmistakable signs of sequential
planting are immediately evident – well, it is no use having all your
commercial crops ripen at the same time is it?
We wander
down a large track and come to the river, which is many feet below and quite
wide. This is the Xi Jiang, or a major tributary of the
We mill
about for a while as Paul collects shells and small rocks for his koi carp
tank. I watch fishermen and trading vessels of some size using the river, and
marvel at so much activity. Never underestimate the influence of rivers on
human behaviour and communication. After 30 minutes or so we head back to the
house.
Lunch is
almost ready by the time we return, and is being prepared in number three
quarters by my good friend and another lad of far stockier build, who is
apparently either the brother or son of one of the wives. I glimpse a senior
ranking young lady wearing traditional ethnic dress, possibly of the Miao
ethnic group, and presume this is her younger Brother. Regardless, I soon discover
he is an excellent cook! We eat at the small table near the main door, and what
a feast is set before us! There is chicken, goose, pork, fish, beef, plus one
of my favourite dishes; Chinese potatoes with pork and gravy. The women then
bring extra vegetables picked from the field just 5 minutes before, and rice of
course. My friend then produces a large box of excellent beer and we begin.
I have
eaten a lot of Chinese food in my year here, ranging from the poshest
restaurants and hotels, to street bars and this barbeques. This food ranks
easily in my top ten all time meals, and probably in my top three ever. Totally
delicious! I cannot single out a single dish for praise, as they are all
culinary delights. The sun is out and warming, the beer flows, plus the company
and crack (Talk in Irish) are excellent. I feel very honoured and humbled to share this
with such a warm and welcoming family.
However,
all things must pass, and so it is the meal draws to a close, and we begin the
long ride home. Bidding farewell I am stopped from leaving by the young lady I
mentioned earlier. She hands me a ‘Lai See’ (Or red envelope containing lucky
money). I have no reason to expect this at all, and am overwhelmed. However, I
am honoured and accept this gratefully. This is now set for safe keeping,
unopened – and will remain that way as a sign of my respect and admiration for
these lovely people.
My friend
escorts us to the car, whilst a gaggle of teenage girls practice saying hello
in English. I act as agent provocateur and speak first. This sends them into
howls of giggles and some blush profusely. My-my hahaha! I then make this worse
for them by introducing myself in Cantonese, and move on as their incredulity
strikes.
One thing I
have learnt by being an Expat, is that whilst we are all different, we are also
all very similar. I am also aware that wherever I go, I am always a
representative of my Country in this land. I do my best to respect this role
and pay due respect to the Country I am allowed to live in. In other words, I
in my small way am an Ambassador for the British peoples, and they will judge
not only me, but my homeland by how I am when they meet me – probably for the
first and only time. Think about it, and then wonder WTF modern
However, I
will get back in the car and continue with my story before ‘I go off on one’
hehe!
Leaving
behind this most wonderful experience I have learnt to respect these people
immensely. We did not discuss much business not olives, as this had already
preceded us. Lo San drives back via an even more circuitous route, and we come
to another plain with some signs of minor crop growing. He indicates this is a
good area for us to develop and we stop the car to take the customary pictures
and soil samples. One of my major worries apart from climate has been soil Ph,
as this needs to be above 7. I later discover the samples from this area are
7.2 = excellent!
This
stated, I still haven’t found the ideal location bereft of cultivation, and
near a centre such as a town or city. We head off and negotiate back to the way
we came in, but I notice we turn right; where in my mind we should have gone
left? I am not mistaken, for we soon emerge into a meandering small town. Here
Lo San is on his mobile, and is guided to a row of burgeoning shops, one of
which is a hands-on car washy. We park the wheels and head for their toilet, a
none descript affair complete with toothbrushes and similar paraphernalia. This
place reminds me of a time-warp from early 60’s
The owner
is by this time washing the car with a rag, and also cleans the car mats with a
small brush, which he then rinses and leaves out to dry in the sun. Not bad for
early December 2009. Whilst finishing the wash, he also opens every door and
valets the inside, plus inner door frame. Crikey! This is some good value!
However, waxing technology and applications appear to have not reached this
area of
We then
head back into the main town centre, which is a hive of activity in typical
Chinese fashion. I took some more snaps of this for your interest. I am asked
if we want to see a bamboo furniture factory, and I say – ‘Why not’. This means
a slight detour, and we soon arrive in the smaller neighbouring town of
Turning
right, we then enter a less salubrious area and park outside a bamboo market –
except it isn’t a bamboo market any longer, it is now the bamboo furniture
factory. We get out and meander around. One guy who is new to me takes the
lead, and I prepare my senses for whatever may transpire.
Headed
through the old market, which is now used as a storage and drying area for tree
bark (Probably pine), we enter a rear courtyard and dive immediately into a
workshop. We are greeted by the female boss and her husband, and then pass
clutches of women painting wooden flowerpots. These come in all shapes and
sizes, some with pretty natural woven patterns, whilst others are painted. This
stuff is actually very good for what it is – given you are wanting to buy
flowerpot holders or serving trivia for your table or hotel. And that’s it!
This place doesn’t actually make bamboo furniture; it does make containers from
tree bark and rattan. Fine! We swap business cards and say goodbye to a very
nice lady boss.
Perhaps now
we are going home? I am worried about the time, as the last ferry to my island
home departs at 9.15 sharp, and I reckon it is now 2pm, and we have 10 hours
driving in front of us. I am assured that I shouldn’t worry. Thanks, I mentally
prepare for a night in a hotel.
We leave
Daxin and pick up the main road. Within a short time we are on a backroad into
the nearest major city when we get stuck behind a long procession of assorted
vehicles. Lo San uses the car well, and we speed past a group of wedding
cars. The land here is flat and
uncultivated. I see tower blocks rising less than one linear mile away, and the
roads are good. I tell Lo San to stop the car. He thinks I am a little crazy,
but honours my request. This is it! I scramble about with Paul, who immediately
does his ‘David Bailey’, and we take time to examine the land in detail. The
city side of the road has some evidence of cultivation, but it is sparse and
intermingled with land for the evident oxen to graze. Contrarily, it is the
Northern side of the road that grabs our attention. There is visually no
cultivation here except for cash crops such as bananas and sweet bamboo.
Therefore this vast swathe of land is not under collective farm rice production
and ideal for our purposes. I guestimate there is at least 10 square miles of
land to the north of this road, and this is exactly what we have been searching
for for months!
We
excitedly head back to the car, whose occupants don’t really seem to get it.
However, Lo San says this is within a different area of government, but this is
no problem if we want to site our project here. I am not giving you any full
details of our plan, as I have no idea who may read this, nor their intentions.
However, the trip is now completed for Paul and I, and we relax in the
knowledge that we have accomplished our task.
The drive
back is a bore, until we reach the roadwork’s section. Then we are greeted with
the sight of a brand new micro-bus lying on its side in the middle of the road.
This must just have happened as it is only a few vehicles in front of us. From
the position of the vehicles it is hard to discern what actually occurred, but
Paul manages to squeeze the car through the approaching melee down a severe
ramp into the roadworks section. Then rounding one truck, we steer past a car
transporter with one micro-bus missing. Ahha! It would appear the transporter
hit the roadworks and the bus fell off the back. Fortunately no one was
injured, as this could have been very bad. I note the truck which was
presumably following, only had minor damage and the driver must have had pretty
quick reactions – I mean, it is not everyday you are driving along a road
without a care in the world, only to be confronted by an airborne micro-bus
headed directly for your windscreen. As we say: Here is
The rest of
the journey is punctuated by toilet breaks and a stop to buy Chinese grapefruit
at a roadside vendors pad. This is like a lay-by with a shop attached, and not
much else going for it. The people are migrant workers who scrape a living of
passers-by. You can see from the pictures that they work and live in lean-to
shelters composed of un-mortared bricks, and just behind the counters are beds
for the families involves – my best guess is Mother and Son. A couple of the
associated girls are wearing conspicuous clothing of a different kind, and I
have no problem working out what other goods or services they may sell. I
finish my cigarette and get back into the car, whilst the others feast on
Chinese grapefruit – which is actually one of my preferred fruits. I
contemplate taking some back for Siu Ying, but they are smaller than those from
our own tree, so forego.
Drivers
change, and Lo San now occupies the middle rear seat, which is small (Which he
is), and also possibly the least uncomfortable. We soon reach
Reaching
the point where I though we should have gone over the bridge, we now head over
the bridge. I do query this, but apparently they thought it was a short-cut.
Hmmmm! It’s going to be a hotel for me tonight I am sure! Uncle tells me not to
worry, so I don’t ish
Bypassing
Wuzhou, which seems like a very good idea, we follow the
I can tell
we are back in
I hope
Relief
flows though my whole system, and I join the others inside for relief and
restitution. I am taken directly into the kitchen, where the chef and owner
greets us and asks us to choose what we want to eat. I point at a couple of
things before he finishes cooking a dish, and comes around to say hello. He
does this in English, but only knows this and maybe a couple of other words.
However, he has a hearty demeanour and winning smile. I say hello and ask him
if he has eaten in Cantonese, and he is beside himself with joy. Gawd! Looks
like I am the star turn again!
The
following meal is excellent, if a bit pricey, but far better than the awful
stuff served at Chinese transport cafes. I store its location in my mental map
of hereabouts, which is near Siu Heng. Satisfied the bill is paid and Uncle
insists I sit in the front seat. After far too long in the back, this is
heaven, and I am ok. I was dreading this last bit, but it is fine.
We
eventually make it back to Gaogong around half ten at night, which was my
presumption. Uncle makes a couple of phonecalls, and the ferry which serves the
other island is sent out to meet me. The lads depart as they still have a ways
to go. I await and talk to a wary staff. He does not know me, although most of
his cohorts do. Apparently this trip is free of charge, but Security checks
with the Captain just to make sure. I am bona fid, and soon whisked away to my
island, where I leap ashore and head home to my wife and normal existence.
Apart from
the
Best wishes
Jonno
New van
falls off lorry on way back