8. Dali and Wu Wei Si - China

from 30/03 till 10/04

The first feelings and impressions of China were not so far from the cliche we had for this country: dusty cities, where the booming building industry is turning villages into new big towns, noisy and not so delicate local people: spitting, shouting, pushing… But quickly we started to like the country. China remind us Hungary where we passed by bike last summer: since we started the world trip it is the 2^{nd place where we really have problems to be understood – forget about English, we have to use our best skills of body language. We stayed 2 days in Dali – a touristy place, invaded on the main street by Chinese tourist. It was time for us to get used to Chinese food, customs. Time also to buy some warm jackets… Dali is at 2000m above sea level, and when we arrived in the morning of the 1st of April, Chinese were wearing coats and long trousers, and we just got out of the bus with our sandals and short trousers.}

^{Wu Wei Si}

^{We just spent one week at Wu Wei Si – a remote temple hidden in the mountain, close to Dali but difficult to find – just follow the smell of the pine trees and it should guide you there. The dream of Nina to learn Kung fu in a Tibetan monastery almost came true. All of us are \ studying Kung fu 5 hour per day. For sure we will not become Kung fu masters but we are stretching hard and doing our best. All of us liked it so much so we will stay there another week to improve our Kung fu style. Don't know about you but here it is a perfect end of spring weather: chilly at night and in the morning, and with bright sun shining all day long.Bye for now, we have to be PUNCTUALLY at 6pm at the temple – in front of our bawl of rice to receive the blessing of the Master before the dinner...}

sorry due to technical pb, no picture; we'll post them in a week ...