Hubei-province/2014-jul

We visited the small township of Tangzhi again in the summer of 2014. One of the highlights was attending a baby shower (celebration of a newborn), where the local men found great amusement in challenging me to endless toasts of Maotai and beer. I ended up quite drunk and had to be driven back to the hotel on the back of a scooter!

We also visited the village of Dalou, where Qu grew up during the 1960s and 70s. A few of the original houses from that era were still standing, though they appeared to be no longer inhabited. While in the village, we visited relatives who ran a turtle farm and paid our respects at the family grave site. Here, we participated in a traditional ceremony involving offerings of spirit money (paper money) and the lighting of firecrackers. It was a deeply moving and very special experience.