The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Man, the itsy bitsy spider isn't going up any water spouts in this town. It hasn't stopped raining here in Yangshuo since our arrival and each day brings more rain than the last. And, when it's not raining, it's 80 degrees with 100% humidity. Pick your poison. It is such a shame too since this really is a beautiful small town along the Li River. The limestone karsts that surround the town are magical. West Street, which is the pedestrian street that forms the center of town, has really good restaurants and bars and is a great place to go shopping. We've definitely eaten well.

We were supposed to go stay in a country guest house with the group yesterday, but I have been fighting a cold and was in no mood to rough it. When we arrived at the guest house, which was up a dirt road that was largely used by the farmers to move the water buffalo around town, we found rooms with no screens on the windows and mosquito netting for the beds. I asked for a cab and promptly returned to town. We are staying at the fancy shmancy place in town and have done nothing but sleep and eat for the last 24 hours. At least I now feel healthy enough to rough it for the next 2 days, which we will be doing in the Longji Rice Terraces. Then off to Hong Kong.

So, a little about our group. There are 12 of us plus a tour leader. Eric, the leader, is a Canadian who speaks pretty decent Chinese. There are 2 Swedes, 2 Norwegians, 1 Brit, 3 Aussies, 1 Canadian and 3 Americans. So many different personalities and it all works. One of the Aussies is from the backwoods and has the thickest accent -- I can't understand most of what he says and have to concentrate really hard to make out what little I can pick up. Eric absolutely kicks ass. He's so enthusiastic about China and encourages us to learn bits of Chinese so we can get into the culture. I have learned how to say pardon me, no worries, rain and umbrella. :-) And, I am getting pretty handy with the chopsticks. I am going to be bummed to part with this group. Everyone has really clicked.