Friday, September 23, 2005
MOUNTAINSIDE VILLAGE, MAO & THE RAINY DRY SEASON
For being past the rainy season and into the dry season it certainly seems to have rained every day. More proof of global warming as if 14 Atlantic hurricanes by September hasnt already proven it.
2 hours south of Gongshan we stopped at this litte village for lunch and decided to stay in the area. After hearing of a 101 year-old lady in town who was alive during the reign of the emperors we went to find her and learn some history/the secret of life. She didn't speak any mandarin so we had someone translate. her wisdom was demonstrated through 3 simple words: "give me money."
We then went to a village 1km down the road and 800m up steep muddy trails. We arrived at a tiny little Lisu village called Yagula and stayed with the local schoolteacher who was 22. The village was poor and tiny but had a basketball court and we played for a while. Even the little kids had jumpshots, which i guess are a necessity when you are small.
Also, talking to our Chinese leader we learned the Chinese take on Mao. We need to "look past the propaganda." Yes Mao was responsible for the deaths of 40 million people, but look at all the giid things he did...equal rights for women, fixing the schools, restoring honor and power to a country humiliated in WWII and uniting the youth. More to come. We're now in Bing Jong Law 2 hours north of Gongshan. We go to Gongshan Sunday for a Lisu Protestant serivce. Gotta love missionaries.
For being past the rainy season and into the dry season it certainly seems to have rained every day. More proof of global warming as if 14 Atlantic hurricanes by September hasnt already proven it.
2 hours south of Gongshan we stopped at this litte village for lunch and decided to stay in the area. After hearing of a 101 year-old lady in town who was alive during the reign of the emperors we went to find her and learn some history/the secret of life. She didn't speak any mandarin so we had someone translate. her wisdom was demonstrated through 3 simple words: "give me money."
We then went to a village 1km down the road and 800m up steep muddy trails. We arrived at a tiny little Lisu village called Yagula and stayed with the local schoolteacher who was 22. The village was poor and tiny but had a basketball court and we played for a while. Even the little kids had jumpshots, which i guess are a necessity when you are small.
Also, talking to our Chinese leader we learned the Chinese take on Mao. We need to "look past the propaganda." Yes Mao was responsible for the deaths of 40 million people, but look at all the giid things he did...equal rights for women, fixing the schools, restoring honor and power to a country humiliated in WWII and uniting the youth. More to come. We're now in Bing Jong Law 2 hours north of Gongshan. We go to Gongshan Sunday for a Lisu Protestant serivce. Gotta love missionaries.
