Weekend in Dali

Friday morning we started our bus trip to Dali for a "relaxing" weekend.  We took our student leader, Andrew, with us.  During the 4 1/2 hr ride we stopped once for rest.  We also made numerous stops on the shoulder of the highway to pick up new passengers.  Typically the door would open and the "co-pilot" would negotiate a price.  Usually they would close the door and move on.  One time a husband, wife, little girl and grandma needed a ride.  Apparently they did not have enough money.  Sad, they could not ride the bus.

Upon our arrival, we checked into the Jade Emu International Guesthouse.  An English speaking establishment where you will meet Germans, Brits, Aussies, Israeli's, French, and maybe others.  Andrew, our friend and a Chinese, felt like a foreigner here.   The price for our modest rooms was extremely reasonable and the food was tasty and also a good value.

On Saturday morning we went to Cangshan Mountain by cable car (imported from Austria) and much hiking both steep stairs and level pathways.  There was much beautiful scenery as you can see from the pictures.  The elevation is over 8000 feet.  Miraculously, Linda's back did okay!

Linda enjoyed the hiking, the very beautiful scenery, the weather was gorgeous, the local Chinese food is great and we had a good time with our student leader, Andrew,  Dali is large, clean and nice.

Andrew feels relaxed (he has many responsibilities and pressures in his role), the mountain is beautiful, the minority people in the parade were very nice.  He liked the seeing the awesomeness of God's creation but wonders why people will try to make a profit by charging a high admission fee just to see God's creation.  ($5 for local Dali people and $13 for the rest of us)

During the evening, our driver, Yang, invited us to swim in the local hot spring pool.  It's is naturally heated from the geologic (volcanic) activity in the area.  It was very relaxing.

Today (Sunday) the three of us (Linda, me and Andrew) met together.  "Where two or three are gathered together..."  It was very special.  We are relaxing today and will probably go for a foot massage later ($5 for 40 minutes).

Enjoy the Pictures!  You will see the Dali Catholic Church dated from 1927, a local grandma with a jade cross (see was selling little toys for 32 cents) and the famous three pagoda's which date to 8th and 9th centuries A.D.  One picture is of Linda and me on the Unity Bridge.  Andrew commented: "the two will be one"

John and Linda