The Great Wall!
If you look closely at the bottom of this picture you can see the toboggan (YES TOBOGGAN!) that we took down from The Great Wall of China. By far the best guilty pleasure I have had here.
A peephole at one of the watchtowers.
The wedding lunch: the source of my food poisoning. I don't know which one of you boys did it, but I can't stand to look at any of you right now...
(a trip to the hospital, 3 IV drip bottles and some antibiotics later I'm doing just fine)
This was hilarious and very awkward--The bride and groom wrapped their arm around their spouse's whole body to drink a ceremonial glass of wine. It took them about 5 minutes to do so and it included some intense swatting and balance.
Cute speeches from nieces and nephews.
The bride in all her glory. Silly string and all.
Baozi, mantou, and hua zhuang steaming away.
My host Mom, Mama Zhang, who never accepted my vegetarianess.
The local spring. The villagers claim that it is the best water in the region.
A little dedication to American politics while I am abroad. Go Obama!
A "chess-like" game that the villagers play on the sidewalks with small stones and chalk.
There were many stone walls..."something there is that doesn't love a wall"
The train that runs through the far end of the valley.
Very organic fences.
Me reading a red book with the likes of Marx, Engels, Mao, Lenin and Stalin. Quite a fun bunch. The Chinese Communist Party Meeting Room in the village.
Roasting chestnuts ("lizi")
Cuter than Anne Geddes.
Lunch.
typical kitchen
These curtains bring me back to fifth grade...
A shrine to Wang Li Hang (a famous singer in China) guardian of the lizi crop.
The Summer Palace was still with us even though we were so far away.
Boy meets machinery.
A social hub for the local women.
Autumn.
Old grind stone for the nuts. Locals still use it over modern machinery.
