This is the truck with the maintenance instructions

Guilin Countryside


During my Mother's visit to Guilin, I asked if she'd like to take a stroll around the block. Since I live near the countryside the "stroll" takes about an hour and a half without stopping to take photos, which we did. I think it ended up taking over two hours. It was really nice though.


There is something about Guilin's countryside that is just mesmerizing. The people are so friendly and generous. Many times I have been asked by local villagers to stop in for a drink, or to share dinner with them. They are incredible people. They are so poor, but are willing to share a meal with a total stranger. My Mother and I just strolled along the larger streets, so we didn't visit any villages. The rice was almost ready to be harvested, so the rice paddy's were golden.

Along the way we saw one of the many farmer's trucks parked along the side of the road. These trucks can be seen everywhere in the countryside. When we were walking past I noticed a sticker on the side of its engine. It is maintenance instructions. It had Chinese and English

Maintenance Instructions

on it. Of all of the things in China that should not have English on it, it is that engine. I don't think a Westerner has ever owned owe, or ever planned to. I was shocked.


When walking down the road a woman walked past us with a heavy load. She had a bamboo pole over her shoulder. On one end was a bucked filled with rocks and on the other was a long basket covered with leaves. When she walked past I could see that she had a pig in the basket. It wasn't a full grown pig, but it must have been extremely heavy! She smiled as we passed and kept on her way.


We came to an ancient house where two children were playing. We stopped and I chatted with them for a minute. I asked their mother if I could take a photo and she said sure.


It was a wonderful stroll and I really enjoyed spending the time with my Mother. She has since gone back to the States and I miss her terribly. Luckily I have my memories and some nice photos.

Lunch break
We took our walk during lunchtime and all of the workers are heading home for their break.

A Nice scene
I just thought this shot looked nice. The tree is huge

Hauling furniture and firewood
The tricycle in the distance has a full bed on it.

Rice paddys
The mountains make a beautiful backdrop for the rice paddys

The woman with the pig

The pig is in the basket

A farmer's house
What a beautiful place to live

Another beautiful shot
The fields in the foreground are for growing sod

Rice almost ready for harvest

Almost ready to harvest

Moo

Tiled roofs

Two girls
These are the two girls whose mother let me take their photos. The building is Qing Dynasty and covered with beautiful carvings