16 KINDERGARTENERS~ Are You Crazy?
Trip Start
Jan 04, 2012
1
20
23
Trip End
Jul 01, 2012
Zigong, Sichuan, China
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Most of the roads in this area follow the crest of the hills, so there is no straight, only curves and as we approached Fragrant Hills, the road turned from paved single land with very low shoulders to hard pack red clay that is very reminiscent of Georgia. As we were winding through the trees following the narrow track, we were often flanked by very steep drop-offs into seemingly bottomless valleys. The green of the trees at this time of year is incredible and the abundance of Bamboo gives a flowing quality much like waves on the sea as the breezes waft through the nooks and crannies of the canyons and the mountainside.
On the skyline to the left, I notice a cleared crest on the adjacent hill speckled with a new planting of trees in neat rows like soldiers standing in company formation. Tall and thin, their trunks whitewashed to protect from insects, their crowns are adorned with but a few leaves evidencing their recent transplantation. We make a wide loop 180 degrees and are now bisecting the formation of new plantings on the way to the temporary buildings that serve as the welcoming center and lodging for the workers at fragrant hills. We park our car on the concrete pad and offload our 'stuff' waiting for the arrival of the Children and parents. As this is a typical county-side outing, it involves a 'hike' as we would call it. I estimate the distance at about 5-6 and no more that 10 kilometers from the start of the single lane road to the outpost on the property. The parents and the children are all going to enjoy their walk to join us for a BBQ on the grounds.
Soon the sound of children laughing and playing as they walk or run appear at the crest of the hill we had just traversed. They are remarkably energetic and loud as they race the last few hundred meters to join us at the outpost. The sounds of Hello Grandma and Hello Grandpa resound as they run up to greet us and to bestow hugs and greetings. The rest of the group, not quite so energetic as these spear-headers, soon arrive in staggered formation accompanied by adults who look a little worse for the wear. I would imagine that the trek had a resemblance to 'herding cats' for them keeping their offspring on the road and out of the woods on side adventures. The children devour oranges as they are quite thirsty from their hike.
Jing has started two small charcoal fires. Each of the children/parent pairs is given a 'hot dog' cooker that resembles a telescoping car antenna with a two prong fork on the end. All the sausages are precooked, so it's a simple thing to warm them up for the children, the same with the chicken legs.
Jing has disappeared into the kitchen and is preparing some fresh fried rice for Jimbo and others. There are also cold noodles with garlic, chili, green onion that are very good.
Soon after our young pioneers gobble down their lunch, it's time to learn about planting. We make a short trek to a cleared area where one of the workers demonstrates making a furrow and 'drills' for the children to plant radish. On the return, the children very enthusiastically pull bunches of mature radish to bring back to the pig pen for the dining pleasure of the two pigs that are being raised. They are already reaching the desired weight and soon will become organically grown pork for the dining table. There is no way that these pigs could eat all the radish being presented by the children. As a point of information, a radish in this country is more like a rutabaga or turnip, quite large.
The children are running around as the adults start the process of cleaning up and gathering up for the return to Zigong. Jimbo will shuttle the drivers out to their cars so that the drivers can come in to pickup their passengers. It's a tight area and it's almost comical watching the attempts at performing a 3-point turn. None the less, the mission is accomplished and there is lots of waving and goodbyes. We too are loaded up in just a few minutes and are starting our return trip.
On the way back, just before we arrive at Peach Mountain, we detour to inspect the site where we will be celebrating the birthday of Fu Ming, Jimbo's brother-in-law next Saturday. The facility is quite nice, the setting picturesque and the reservations are made. So we will be making the trip up here again next weekend.
Jing deposits us back at our apartment. We are both tired. My fit-bit says we covered 5 kilometers and climbed 16 flights of stairs. Pam makes some hamburgers while I go to RenRen for some sesame buns from the bakery. We are quite hungry and make quick work of the burgers. What a great day. Enjoy the pictures. Zaijian.
Comments
The kids had a great time you could tell. Actually the young kids and The OLDER Kids too, all appear to have a good time. Very pretty area. The red dirt road sure looks like Ga. What a good time.
I enjoy the colorful commentary and choice of words. dg