Speak the Truth, Brother

Trip Start May 22, 2005
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Trip End Jan 22, 2006


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Flag of China  ,
Wednesday, November 2, 2005

Our next stop in Yunnan Province was Lijiang. The population in Lijiang is 1.1 million, 300,000 of which belong to the Dong Ba people-the indigenous minority group of that region. On our first night in Lijiang, we went to see a Naxi culture show (i.e. a performance showcasing the Dong Ba culture). Political correctness aside, the show was boring. It seemed to be a reason for the village yahoos to come beat drums and hop around. We left early.

In the morning we went to see the Black Dragon Pool Park. The beautiful park is over 300 years old and popular legend tells that the deep pool within the park is inhabited by a black dragon. No one was home.

Every morning a large group of Dong Ba people gather in the park to exercise by participating in a coordinated group dance 01 - At the Naxi Culture Show
01 - At the Naxi Culture Show
 . Old and young alike move in perfect balance-very impressive. Who says that Chinese people don't have rhythm?

At the park we also visited the Dong Ba School where they are working to preserve the Dong Ba written language which is the last surviving pictograph language in the world. To help with this cause we paid good money to have a Dong Ba master write/draw us a phrase on the traditional paper made by hand from a local plant which lasts hundreds of years. The master finished with his work and presented us with the finished product. The phrase he wrote for us was: "There are no ravines before a fine horse. Nothing is wisdom for a true warrior." Paul nodded in silent approval-speak the truth, brother!

We also made it a point to see the 800 year old Ancient Town where traditional Naxi buildings still survive. Nearby was the Tea and Horse Old Road through which the ancient tea trade passed.
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