Thrice Blessed and the tourguide from hell

Okay. This will be a more proper entry than the last one. I just recently came back from Jiuzhaigou (Nine Village Gully) and Huanglong. The place is absolutely pristine and immaculate. The water is crystal clear and spectacular karst formations. I know I know, pictures. But these internet places don't have a sd slot to upload pictures so it'll have to wait until I get to a place that does. That said our tour guide was a total bitch. The tour my aunt put me on said that the evening activity was optional, but when I arrived at Jiuzhai airport the tour guide said that it's required and I have to pay the 360RMB to see some 'rich' tibetan family house. (Side note: all the tibetans here are super rich because of the tourism. They all have cars and nice remodeled houses). Fuck no, I'm not going to some 360RMB activity. I called the tour company manager and he called the tour guide. She didn't persist any longer but that wasn't the end of it. Her attitude toward me was really bad from that point on. She helped others take pictures but me the single traveler didn't get any help from her. Luckily, the people in my tour group were super nice and helped me take pictures. I walked most of the place with a guy from Anhui province. Cool guy and had lots of questions about the US. Back to the tourbitch. I also had a discount on account of my 'student' id. The tour guide pays for the ticket. I asked her to reimburse the savings to me and she told me to call the tour company because she's not sure if she should pay me back. Of course you pay me back you backwards repugnant bitch. The tour company is all the way back in Chengdu. Why would they pay me when the savings go right into your pocket? Whatever, I called and told her to pay me the 100RMB (I know, not a lot but that's two nights hostel stay, which is a lot for a traveler on a budget!). She threw the money on the counter and was again giving me attitude. Whatever, I'm venting here but she really did destroy the mood of this beautiful place. Highly recommended if you don't get tourbitch. Anyways, I told my aunt this and she was absolutely livid. She called and is now trying to get the tourguide's license revoked. Take that bitch. Service job is definitely not your calling!

Now back in Chengdu, I was just notified that I would be taking a single room because of huge chinese tour group is taking over my dorm room. Lucky! Just had dinner with my grandaunt and granduncle's family. They gave two good luck charms. One buddhist charm from Chengdu and one tibetan buddhist charm from Lhasa. I had earlier received a buddhist charm from my aunt in Beijing that was from Emei mountain. They really are cool gifts and thoughtful. But I feel kinda funny wearing all three necklaces at the same time with my yak hoof bracelet. The dinner was really good and my aunt and uncle took me to a village close to the city. We had a nice relaxing afternoon eating farm food and playing cards. We played this three person game translated to be called 'Annoy the landlord'. Kind of like big two except it's two players against one.

Time to book my stay in Hong Kong. Should have done that a long time ago but oh well.

NOTE: Unfortunately, 'happy' meals were not on offer through my travels. Although, I did hear from another travler that they were on the menu in Dali.