The sun's barely rising and he chooses to be adventurous. Instead of cycling on the highway, he chooses to follow the path along the river. A 20 minute bike ride turns into a four hour ride as he tries to avoid potholes filled with mud.
But it's all worth it. The path takes him right to the feet of the karst hills. Only here can you appreciate how tall these motherfuckers are. Not from their peaks. Maybe from climbing them. But from their feet.
Snuggled between them are untouched villages. It puts things scarily into perspective however. People sit outside their doors - mere wooden planks - on benches in the shade. They sit with their neighbours and friends, playing cards. They sit alone twiddling their thumbs, watching people go by. Watching the world go by. They - everyone: fathers, mothers, children - sit and wait. And wait. It's scary.
Other places, the men tend to their fields while their wives look after their children. Within their houses, not a proper piece of furniture can be seen. Only low wooden stools and an equally low wooden table. At most, they have a television set.
Halfway through, he meets a small group of local tourists cycling along the same path. With them is a British boy only two years younger than he is. A beautiful friendship blossoms and before long, the journey is cut short with conversation and laughter. Within a short time, they reach their destination: Jade Dragon Bridge. It's all very scenic but nothing compared to being able to share it with a friend.
But it's all worth it. The path takes him right to the feet of the karst hills. Only here can you appreciate how tall these motherfuckers are. Not from their peaks. Maybe from climbing them. But from their feet.
Snuggled between them are untouched villages. It puts things scarily into perspective however. People sit outside their doors - mere wooden planks - on benches in the shade. They sit with their neighbours and friends, playing cards. They sit alone twiddling their thumbs, watching people go by. Watching the world go by. They - everyone: fathers, mothers, children - sit and wait. And wait. It's scary.
Other places, the men tend to their fields while their wives look after their children. Within their houses, not a proper piece of furniture can be seen. Only low wooden stools and an equally low wooden table. At most, they have a television set.
Halfway through, he meets a small group of local tourists cycling along the same path. With them is a British boy only two years younger than he is. A beautiful friendship blossoms and before long, the journey is cut short with conversation and laughter. Within a short time, they reach their destination: Jade Dragon Bridge. It's all very scenic but nothing compared to being able to share it with a friend.
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