Day 40

30 May 2013

Chengdu

I finished my blog at 1.15 Am this morning and had to get up at 6.30 Am as I had booked a morning tour of the Panda Breeding centre . Chengdu is synonymous with Panda's as this is the only place in the world where Panda’s are found in the wild. The sanctuary was just outside the city. A fellow traveler (Adrian from Ireland) mentioned it again late last night and asked me to come and him and I am glad I did although, I felt like a Japanese visiting a Koala sanctuary in Brisbane. Panda’s are very lively in the morning which was evident when we arrive at about 9.Am Anyway the pictures speak for themselves.

Today I stay put in my comfy Hostel . It has a covered courtyard which is surrounded by tropical - and lots of bamboo plants. I have found myself a nice spot to write down my thoughts and am able to, in peace and quiet, reflect on the days which have past, the present and to do some forward planning.

I have been in China for a few days now and can reflect on my feelings and emotions .

I do feel like a stranger here. The language barrier coupled with the fact that I am foreigner alone in a swarm of an unfamiliar culture creates the effect of being keenly aware of the looks and stares from all eyes around me. It’s a sense of being invisible and in the spotlight at the same time.

Strolling through a street market, row upon row of endless oddities, I scour the peculiar stands until I notice something that peaks my interest. Not an easy task considering the variety of local delicacies that include live frogs, fermented eggs, cuts of ox meat with the tail and skin still attached, chicken feet, and even duck heads, plus many things I couldn’t even identify no matter how hard I try. I Try to gain an understanding in hand gestures, broken languages and the reassuring gestures of a smile or a nod. This is China after all and not Vietnam where everything now seems to have been easy going.



Yesterday I walked for miles, taking in the sounds and sights of this new world around me. Towering skyscrapers, block after block of retail stores, sculptures and statues at every corner, ancient gates perched at the end of a busy walking streets, new and old blended together. Strange yet familiar, it has all the same looks and feel of any major city, the bustling of people, commerce, noises and smells , but its own particular Asian flair that could be seen on every street corner. A long day of wandering behind me, I make my way back to reflect on everything I’ve seen.

Tonight back on the train at 9 15 pm for the 850km journey north east to Xian.