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Published: August 11th 2018
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August 6th - Last Day in Chengdu - Dia 46
Waking up alone was a weird feeling. I didn't have anybody to talk to while preparing to head out for another day in China. With a lot of time in my hands I decided to start the day right, with some Yoga and stretches ?
As I headed out to eat breakfast I ran into a Chinese friend I had made yesterday, Alijie and the Australian guy, Jake. We decided to head out for breakfast together and keep exploring Chengdu. I guess I was not going to be alone jajaja
Our first visit of the day was the Museum of Chendu. It was not much of a visit since we realized it was closed when getting there. Switching museums we decided to head over to Sichuan Science and Technology Museum. Weirdly Alijie could not access the Museum ?. As a Chinese citizen he needed to book an appointment to enter. Jake and I ,as internationals, could enter free. Weird...
So Jake and I went in for around 3 hours, it's really similar to the museum Vancouver has called Science World. A lot of hands on stuff with a lot of children.
There was one point that a Chinese teenager kept following us around the Museum, trying to make it seem as if he was not. ?
Out in the hot humid air again we met up with Alijie and walked. Trying to walk often into air conditioned stores to cool down jejeje. Walking with a local Chinese helped a lot in finding the key spots around the city to visit. Alijie took us to the most international hub in Chengdu. A beautifully designed sector with only international brands stores in it. It had western wooden architecture and was crowded with the high class Chinese community.
Getting tired we walked back to the Hostel. After a long discussion with Alijie he convinced me to change my train ticket and spend the rest of my time in China in Yangshuo, a climbers paradise. I followed his advice and we took the metro to the train station to change my tickets. Now being in Yangshuo I have to say it was worth it 😊
Arriving back in the Hostel at night we sat down with a group of people visiting Chendgu as well. While drinking beers we talked about each other's life. The most
striking conversation I had was with a woman from Israel. She told me how she was not religious and decided to live in a Kibbutz Community 20 years ago. I had never heard of these communities in Isreal before! Based on what she told me they are isolated communities which you had to go through interview sessions and a detail checkup to be able to live in them. Everything happens inside the community walls, there is no public religion practiced and there used to be no money involvement on the daily lives of the people. She also mentioned the incredible beauties in both the landscape and the people in Isreal. Asking her about the security as a traveler, she responded by telling me that the suicide bombers where the real risk. And smartly mentioned how if that's the reason your not traveling to Isreal then France and other countries suffering from them should also be out of the picture. Incredible conversation in which she asked me to visit Isreal and her community whenever I get the time. ☺ Amazed by the people you meet while traveling.
It was a good day alone in China, really excited for the rest of
the trip.
August 7th - Yangshuo - Dia 47
Walking up early to catch the bullet train. Everything went smoothly and I was in the station earlier. What I was about to endure was an 8 hour train ride without a seat ?When I bought my ticket their were no seats left so I had to get a standing ticket.
It was an interesting 8 hours, mostly standing and constantly moving around the train. Sometimes sitting on the hard floor sometimes doing some yoga, it was a long ride!! Worth it once I started to see the landscape of Yangshuo...
Transferring to a bus we started crossing through mountain towers that look like if vegetated fingers sticking out of the ground. I was extremely excited but did not have anyone to share it with ?, except the Chinese woman seating next to me jajaja.
Arriving at the town of Yangshuo I was surprised to see it extremely populated, not a lot like a town. It was like a Pueblo Magico. Motorbikes zooming everywhere with no apparent traffic rules, leaving the cars far behind. I immediately loved the town and it's never ending energy.
Walking to my Hostel I decided
to stop at a local restaurant to get dinner, I had not eaten since breakfast! I was ready to devour some noodles. Looking at the menu, I chose a random plate since I don't really understand Chinese characters...and waited for the best. A Chinese local was drinking a whole bottle of wine alcohol, seating next to me. He asked me to join him and so I did. He poured me some of his alcohol and ordered more food for us?. We tried to talk but none of us knew each other's language. It was quite a weird and unique conversation. Eventually we evolved and stated talking through translate in our phones jeje. After the huge meal I convinced him to stop bringing me beer since I needed to find my Hostel still. And soon after I left, having arranged to meet up with him in the next following days. My first local friend 😊
Finally finding my Hostel at night I checked in and found myself to bed, long day indeed.
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