.. boldly going where some KFCs and Micky D’s might have gone before.

Thus far, I’ve kept my summer plans a bit under wrap. Partly because things hadn’t been finalized yet, but also because I’ve been hideously swamped (and remain so).

Back tracking a bit. Last Friday marked the final blow-out to the Geek Herd (thus named for our infamous “geek nights” on Sunday night where we congregate in the Bachelorette Pad and watch geeky movies). We headed out for a debaucherous night of meat at all you can eat teppanyaki, and then headed out to celebrate our last night together in Beijing. I don’t know what I’ve done to be so blessed to have met such an amazing group of friends in such a short time, but such is the nature of grace

Monday afternoon, I was off. Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite as planned and we missed our original train, but a few extra kuai and two hours later, we caught a soft sleeper to Kunming. I’ve backpacked parts of Europe via train before, but this was my first time on anything as long as 45 hours. Which by the way – was AWESOME. I doubt there’s a more fascinating way to see a country. Especially one as big and diverse as China. From my window, I watched us wind through cities to the countryside, and concrete jungles melt into rice paddy fields. I’ve always been told that cities like Beijing and Shanghai, are not “real China”. But from what little I’ve seen through the passing window – I can’t wait to embrace it all.

Arriving in Kunming, we immediately made arrangements to head up to Lijiang via Dali. A funky little backpacker town where I find myself currently. This place is famous for the Bai minority, where the women rule the roost and no man is desirable unless he can smoke, drink tea and hold his liquor. Paradise for some, apparently. Women – no matter what age – are referred to as “jinhua” or “golden flowers”. Somehow I find this infinitely more appealing than the “mei nu” in the mainland or “lang lui” in Cantonese (both meaning “pretty girl.)

We visited the “3 Pagodas” temple here today, which is the largest Buddhist temple in China. Some truly amazing examples of Tang and Song art. Tomorrow morning, we’re setting off for Lijiang, where Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-la await.

Know that I am shooting photos like an insane woman, especially with my brand new 24 mm f/2.8 lens which I just received last week. It.shoots.amazingly. My mac awaits me in Malaysia on the 9th, so there won’t be any photos from my journey for now.. (really need to suck it up and get a point and shoot, I think.) but there will be a MASSIVE photo update once I’m reunited with my beloved Elmo (le Mac).

Until next time on The Ricetrail. And remember. Comments = love

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