Vacation: Saturday

Last night, we walked the streets, avoided stray dogs, and enjoyed some delightful tea on the roof of our family hotel. David and I, an occasionally one of the brothers/cousins running the hotel, enjoyed the cool night, watched the stars, drank a lot of tea, which was grown just across the river (within sight). We got up this morning, well rested, to fireworks. As promised by the hotel guys last night, the morning started with fireworks and loud musics, due to a wedding. So I followed the parade around town and to the house next to the hotel. There sure were a lot of fireworks and loud drums for such a small town! The old man lighting many of the fireworks was about as fearless with them as a normal 10 year old American is with his first pack of Black Cats. Dave and I were able to see the preparation for the the ceremony (more fireworks, some incense lighting) as well as the ceremony table full of lavishly displayed meats. But then our van into Wuyuan was leaving and it was our only ride, so we left. The van was driven by one of the buddies/relatives of the family hotel owner, so if you're wondering about the not so firm schedule, that's why. From Wuyuan we grabbed a bus into Jingdezhen, where I currently write. We will take the train overnight to Nanjing (this time with seats). From there we will try to make our way back to Changzhou, which is close and well connected, so I don't foresee any problems.