This is why I travel

Asia
August 30th 2009

Published: August 30th 2009

Greetings Comrades! The past week was one of the better of my life. I ventured out to an isolated ancient Chinese city deep in the mountains of Hunan called Fenghuang. The journey was epic. Short of writing a novel I really can't recite all the stories and experiences I encountered along the way. Hopefully a few of my pictures can capture your imagination better than this babble. The adventure b... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 82, Displayed: 21

fenghuang

city

girls

local girls I hung out with

walking stones

these are not simple decorative. You are supposed to walk barefoot over them, which has healing properties. You see this kind of path in many parks

swimming

swimming in the river

fenghuang

pretty.

city wall

on top the old city wall at night

the river

the boardwalk lights up at night

wishing flowers

I bought these

flowers

Lovers Day

it was "valentines day" in China that night and many couples were lighting flowers wishing for lasting love

flowers

drifting into the river, very neat sight

rainbow bridge

very pretty at night

selling flowers

The best picture I could manage, sorry

fenghuang

at night and looking good

fenghuang

yes

girl

I saw this girl EVERYnight. She managed to find me somehow in random parts of the city always selling her roses

food

spicy little crab, yum.

mountain road

You can't really tell but beyond those bushes is nothing but hundreds of feet straight down into the water and our moron driver is sending text messages while driving all the way down. Scary

On the boat

A local kid I swam with and our guide

mountains

treking around in the mountains

the walk up

path we climbed

30th August 2009

kkoffel
non-member comment

phoenix city
We continue to enjoy your post and the photos are of a quality I wasn't expecting!! Hopefully your blog will help you to hold onto all these memories!! Good luck with you new classes....Dad

30th August 2009

Ann
non-member comment

Nate, I laughed so hard over your adventures, I had tears in my eyes. I mean really, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star??!!!! The image of you in distress singing that is priceless, not to mention "meet and greet" in your dripping wet underwear! No one can accuse you of not making an impression. Stay safe, Love, Ann

31st August 2009

EdgarinChina
Lucy Edgar

I feel your pain
Ha ha, hilarious! The last American I saw put on the spot to sing chucked out a couple of lines of "you are the sunshine of my life". I think Twinkle Twinkle is a WAY better choice! You have my sympathies - I would be waiting for the earth to swallow me up in that situation, you did good! People not in China cannot imagine how unnerving and yet at the same time liberating it is to be the only Westerner throwing caution to the wind and allowing themselves to be humiliated. Its a humbling yet invigorating experience! ps Bless your heart for buying all the wish flowers!

31st August 2009

EdgarinChina
Lucy Edgar

..and your photos are awesome!

31st August 2009

chris
non-member comment

Ok...
Well it is obvious that you are having a wonderful time in China - just wanted you to know how much we appreciate the updates. I am living vicariously through your words and pictures - so keep writing ... and I will do my part ... worry (less). Love, Mom

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