Tea on a Lake

A much better day in Guilin than the first. The weather was not as humid today as the other day. My plan was to go through the city on foot and follow the river. It was pretty cool. Went on a very rickety old wooden bridge with no railing. It was just hoping the planks wouldn't give and these local Chinese people were just riding their motorcycles over the bridge. I'll post picture when I get the chance.

Then I kept following the river and inexplicably got lost in the residential districts amid some karst hills. I eventually hit a big street with a lot shops making and selling veranda railings and stair railings. Finally, I broke down and asked a local for directions to the main street of the city. It turns out I was in the very western edge of the city. Still not knowing for sure where I was, I hoped that the local woman was telling the truth and kept going. Eventually came upon a lake looking onto the main street. The views from the lake were gorgeous. It made the extra day in Guilin worth it. Got a good picture from here. It might have been the heat or the mountain views but I wanted tea and there was a teahouse on the lake. I was the only person insane enough to drink hot tea on a summer day, but it was sublime. The tea made my body want to cool down and there was an old woman playing a Chinese string instrument similar to a guitar but layed flat.

Met an Australian and New Zealander in my hostel. Cool people and well-traveled. Can't wait to see what YangShuo has in store for me tomorrow.

(Side Note: Internet cafes are a godsend and curse. So easy to use and everywhere, but goddamn my lungs are crying because of all the smoke in these places)