BobSue2005AsianJournal#2.docVIP

Weekends are for exploring this area of central China……Nov. 12 and 13 we headed to Chengdu, Robert’s second time as he had gone to this area a month ago with his teaching colleague, John and wife Kris. Then, the three of them explored 2 areas near Chengdu: Mt Quingchengshan and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System. This irrigation system is the oldest operating one in the world. This time we checked out the multitude of offerings within the city of Chengdu. First, we took a 4 hour bus ride from the Yangiapo Bus terminal, the inter-city bus station. Smooth, efficient, with a pit-stop half-way……civilized and enjoyable, in SHARP contrast to our return via another route. For Sue, it was a joy to see the countryside: lush green vegetation, with meticulously terraced farm areas and low-lying rice paddies. Surprisingly there were no animals in evidence, which accounts for the much lower protein and fat consumption in the Chinese diet. Another oddity is there is little fresh milk as we know it, rather boxed and ultra-pasteurized milk….as well, very little cheese which was a shock to my cheese-loving system. You can see how the Chinese have much lower cholesterol rates and maybe lower incidence of heart disease as well as much smaller physiques. Statistics on this are hard to come by as this is not a very transparent society and there is little evidence of systems of accountability! Anyways, on to Chengdu! Robert had surfed-out a great accommodation there, a former monastery-now- B B, called the Wenjun Mansion Hotel…..wonderful spot with an open courtyard from our 3rd floor which double as the breakfast area. Bathroom was nicer than our apartment’s! /wenjun. First day in Chengdu we walked/biked over to the Dufu Thatched Cottage, nestled in a huge garden park full of flowers, goldfish ponds, walkway and eating areas. Dufu was a poet from the 3rd century (see statue as Robert talks to our interpreter Frank), who was rebelling against the n