Lijiang Day 5 (0423) - Hike Back to Lijiang

Throughout the trip we had been changing our plans daily. Our guide, Lily, was very accommodating and dealt with our constant change of mind very well. Each night we would talk about what we were doing the rest of the week based on how that day had gone. On this day we had planned to drive back to Lijiang and then spend the day there seeing tourist sights and relaxing. Adina had the idea that we hike back to Lijiang since the previous day had consisted of us getting driven around everywhere.

Lily decided to go back into town and so did Steve (one of the Fulbrighters). We said our goodbyes to the family and the rest of us followed Lily's brother on another challenging hike through the mountains. This day was by far our hardest hike. We never stopped for a lunch break and I think we went farther than our previous hikes, although I am not sure. Lily's brother did not have anything with him. He did not drink water, and as far as I could tell he never broke a sweat or got exhausted. Initially we were going to find our own way back to Lijiang, but I am glad we followed him because I think would have gotten lost somewhere along the way.

We arrived to Suhe, a village not far from Lijiang and decided to take a van for the remainder of the trip. That evening we went to a Western restaurant that served mainly "Italian" food. Adina ordered a salad with ricotta and olives and was so excited . . . until she got the salad. It looked like a regular side salad, with some grated parmesan and no olives. Yet another example of how Western food gets twisted. After dinner we sat around and talked as if it was our last night together. Steve had printed some of his photos and handed them out. I really need to print my photos because it is such a different feeling to have a hard copy in your hands.