Tofu, Confucius, and Bananas

11/9

Monday, Nov 9

A typical narrow street in the old section of Jianshui

A cart is hoisted up to a construction site

Yet Another Ancient City

After breakfast we walked around the Old City, which resembled many of the ones we had visited so far. The older Adobe buildings, although charming, are gradually being torn down to make way for newer ones with modern amenities that are more comfortable, practical, and safer. Because there is a rainy season here, the old mud brick buildings only have a life span of about a hundred years. In many places they are rebuilt with brick to simulate the original ones. Most of the old cities we have visited have become tourism sites, which at least protects the old buildings and encourages people to value their history. Modern cities, often less than 30 - 40 years old have sprung around the original cities, complete with high rises, tons of shops and manufacturing.

People still use the ancient wells for their water

Old Jianshu

Not so much of a tourist mecca (yet!) Old Jianshui, we were able to see the way people live, as opposed to shops, shops, and more shops. Everywhere we have been on this trip we've seen lots of old people, quite a lot of babies, and of course, Chinese tourists. The older children are in school, and the working age adults are working. David explained that many Chinese work far away from home, so their parents take care of the youngsters. Some people work so far away they may only see their children a few times a year, even.

This one tough old lady!

A familiar sight

Tofu and Ancient Water Wells

Jianshui was established probably about two thousand years ago, but it is noted for a number of stone wells built during the Ming Dynasty (about 5 - 600 years ago), and the tofu it produces dating back several hundred years. The tofu is recognized as the best in China  because the well water it is made from is so sweet and pure tasting. Our last stop before leaving the city was to the second oldest Confucius temple on China. This complex of beautiful old buildings honoring Confucius, the first teacher of the Chinese people, is now a prestigious middle school. We even managed to do a little birdwatching there!

The chicken coops

I try out feeling tall!

Futons are remanufactured here. The cotton batting is cleaned, fluffed up and  then resold

Making tofu

The second oldest Confucius temple in China

Army visitors to the temple

I tie a prayer tag onto a rack

Confucius is revered as China's greatest teacher

Feeling Like CR

Traveling south we passed through  a city that is well known for its tin mining that began some 2,000 years ago during the Han Dynasty. Later we stopped at a local market near the Red River, which runs through Vietnam. The local fruit included jack fruit, lots of tiny bananas, papaya, huge mangoes and enormous grapefruit, tiny tangerines, dragon fruit, and several vegetables such as taro and. A sweet potato that resembled a deformed human foot. 

The women at the market were very small boned and tiny, with more angular faces than those on the northern areas we visited. The steep mountain sides are heavily vegetated, with no grazing or cultivation, and in the valleys are huge banana plantations with the familiar (to me)  blue bags to help ripe the banana and keep the pests off. The temperature was now in the low 80's, and very humid, and we caught a glimpse of a lizards scampering among the fruit. It was hard to believe yesterday we had every item of clothing on that we owned, it was so cold!

Going Tropical

We followed a tributary of the Red River on a narrow winding road, constantly ascending. Again, reminiscent of Costa Rica, we passed many heavily loaded trucks and small vehicles, barely getting back into our own lane before the oncoming traffic. Several times we cried out to Mr. Wang to be careful. The countryside was stunning. When we reached the hotel and checked in we got in a few photos from our fifth floor window. Unfortunately for Edie her view overlooks people's homes, so we teased her about peeking at them with her binoculars. David added she might see "pillow talk." Washed out some clothes and hit the sack.