Yunnan Stories 云南故事

This was taken on my way via Yuanjiang two months ago. I redicovered it when sorting out a large pile of photos. Forgot the name but I know the picture just doen’t do justise to this cute village.

All the houses are built with the charecteristic red soil, firm and beautiful.  Nearly a hundred years’ weathering has changed the original red to what you see now the light yellow. The most amazing part is that every small household can be connected to each other through the roof. The roof serves as a dring yard and a road leading everywhere, where you can even take a non-stop bike ride around the whole village. Take the gental slopes if you wanna go up and down.

Pillowed on a hill, this waterside village in itself is a large household.These industrious and ingenious villagers treat each other just like siblings. They, having shared the woes and joys from generation to generation, live an enviablly harmonious life.

Just look at it, isn’t it amazing?

The other day, I met two countrywomen in the street, who were selling the firewood in the market. I was taken back when they told how heavy each bundle was. 100 jin at least, my god! Seeing my suspicion, one of them unloaded hers and let me have a try. Until my back was bent down did I find I couldn’t stand on my feet no matter how I struggled. Futher inquiries and I knew they were Hani(哈尼）ethnic minorities and had trudged 4hours along the mountain trail. The firewood was sold by jin(斤） and a bundle was worth around 10 yuan. They would carry them back home if there were no buyers.

4 hours’ toiling up the rugged mountain trail with an extra-heavy load is only for 10 yuan. But wait! I was also told this kind of a market was open only once a week, which means they would have to wait another week to try luck if no deal was made this time.

Along the mountain muddy road were more and more people advancing toward the market, with more budles of firewood and even cattles. I couldn’t help but crossing my fingers for them, hoping them to sell at a good price. Such market must have existed for thousands of years, If I am not mistaken. Would their business always thrive even though they just make peanuts? What would they do if they couldn’t make the both ends meet?…….I dunno.

Maybe my previous fear about their fate was unnecessary. They are a tough breed after all, for which I could do nothing but show deep respect.

Remember the first day I entered the classroom in Yunnan and was stunned by the masses of clouds floating near on the opposite mountains, repeating to the students that the seneries were just too beautiful.

Now having stayed here for over 3 months, no longer will I see it as a spectacle as I did in the past. Nontherless, I enjoy the ubiquitous sea of clouds for its visual pleasure. It still excites and appeals me if it emerges. Often than not,I would lean against the courtyard wall and  look down at the cloud-covered valley, thinking of nothing.

It is a vast arid plateau where I am now. Under the combined action of altitude and  temperature difference, the hidden tiny waterdrops evaporate into banks and banks mist when heated by the sun at dawn.  Thus, the sea of clouds cames into being, everywhere and everytime. What you need keep in mind is: the cloudsea here happens more often though it can’t be compared to Huangshan’s(黄山）