Where it all began...Wuhu

Sulizhou to Wuhu

 

The train ride (5 hours..6am to 11am) from Suzhou to Wuhu was spectacular.  We experienced a huge slice of the phenomenal growth of China.  Construction absolutely everywhere.  Huge swaths of buildings being torn down and replaced with equal swaths of 20 plus story high rise apartment buildings.  Since people can now buy their homes, the market is responding witha vengeance. 

 

We say two big nuclear power plants along the way and followed the industrial path along the Grand Canal, which we actually rode on while in Suzhou.

On one side of the railroad tracks were miles of fields planted with rapeseed and on the other were industrial complexes and projects razing and building buildings.  In between were some relics of another era..small farm houses and huts not yet sentenced by the bulldozer.

 

When we arrived in Wuhu, we were startled by the size (2 million or so) of the city and the newness and beauty of the parks in the downtown area.  The center city is booming with life and lights.  We strolled through the park along the river and were smack in the middle of the rich street life.  Retirees gather by the hundreds at tables to play Majong and kibitz with each other.  WE were the main show this afternoon, however, as all eyes stared at us non stop and folks commented to each other about us.  We could only imagine what they might be saying, as there were no clues for us to interpret.

Our guide said that there are very few tourists in Wuhu, so we were a curiosity.  People continually try to speak with Lily and Anna in Chinese and are confused when they do not reply and do not seem to understand. 

 

We went to where the night life swings for dinner, but we were stuck in a private room, where we had only each others' company...not even good people watching. 

 

Tomorrow we go to the orphanage, meet with the new and the old director, with Anna's nanny while here.  We didn't know the name of Lily's caretaker, sadly. 

 

We are all very tired, but thrilled to be in the middle of it all.  Traveling as we are...just the 6 of us ..is giving us so many opportunities to connect with people and places that would be impossible with a larger group.  We're so glad to be doing it this way.

 

We had a conversation with a man on the train who is a general manager of a hotel the next stop after Wuhu...will have to look up what city it is.  Anyway, he spoke very good English and was a well versed man of China.  He was quite open about many things we've found many Chinese to be silent about.  He said that people are getting rights...though there was a way to go.  His opinion of George Bush was interesting...he said the whole world hated him, not just China, but China was especially insulted by him.

 

I could go on forever tonight...it has been such a rich day.  But Lily wants to use the computer for a bit, so this is it for now.   I may find a way to upload some photos tomorrow...no time today.

 

I'm thrilled to know that some of you checking in feel part of the trip.   What a joy to be able to share it.

Love from all of us...Carolyn