Guilin – Day 2

We were scheduled to switch from our apartment to our hotel. This little woman everyone calls Auntie came to our room at 9:45, fifteen minutes early, and led us out to cabs and then over the building. I wasn’t sure if she’s the land lord (turns out she isn’t) but she was very helpful getting our backs up all seven flights of stairs. Once our bags were in she started cleaning. We weren’t sure what to do so Gavin and I just sat and watched awkwardly.

The previous tenant showed up after awhile. A twenty five year old South African man named Paul who’s switching from working for Kristy teaching children to becoming an English lecturer at a local college. He’s been here ten months and speaks quite strong Chinese. He didn’t know any when he got off the plane but has practiced extensively and it shows. It’s rather inspiring actually. He gave me a few tips about learning that I plan to enact once I’m settled in Beijing.

Anyway, he helped go through some negotiations with Auntie and the land lords, who did eventually turn up, as Gavin and I continued to sit by uselessly. After they left Paul offered to take us out and show us around. We had lunch at a local restaurant, potatoes (thought of you, Olivia) and egg plant with dumplings. After lunch he showed us around a bit. Like Beijing, the little street market is about two blocks from the huge mall. China is just weird like that.