I suggest you invest wisely in a book called Point it. My sister was gifted a copy by a friend of hers; I downloaded the app. If you want something to eat, you can simply say Nǐ hǎo and point to the desired dish. I’ve somehow managed to take a path to the Beautiful Peak that misses every sodding eaterie in Guilin, which is an achievement as they’re dotted everywhere.
Aha, I’ve found one; with pictures too. Approaching with trepidation, the owner takes one look at me and says “It’s ok you can speak English slowly and I understand”. Phew “Xièxiè!”, I say to her and she offers me a seat. It’s a small restaurant with around a score of seats dotted around half a dozen tables. To my left there are two elderly gentry sipping rice wine and I’m instantly offered one. For once the usual “Where you from?”, is skipped and it’s straight to the good stuff. The two men are brothers and the woman with them one of their wives; “Ganbei!” they shout as we chink glasses and see it off. I think I’m immune to this stuff, or at least until the count runs in to double figures.
Having firmly filled belly, I’m off to the University and it’s an expensive 70 Yuan to enter. There’s very little in English so instead I sneakily tack on to a Chinese tour group, allowing me entry to places that I would otherwise be denied. To the top and it’s disappointingly adorned with costume photos for sale, some vaguely interesting views and an ice cream shop. Back down again then and in to the Confucious Museum, where a worker takes pity and guides me through; speaking what little English he knows. It’s a nice gesture and I’m grateful to him.
The evening is a boat ride around the lakes and river that surround the centre of Guilin. I’ve already run around them and having found that no level of ISO increase or f-stop opening can facilitate anything but a blur, I head back for dinner and some night shots with tripod in tow.
Guilin, China (11K)
No comments:
Post a Comment