Look China: there is such a quiet and simple place.

The Laila Buckley / text Shize / translationChina's fast-paced life of the city I grew up in the forests of northern California, people are always a bit much, but he gave me a opportunity away from Beijing in October 2005 trip to Yunnan. Before I set foot on the land of Yunnan, China gave me the impression of the look of big cities such as Beijing, Harbin and Chengdu city center. My feeling is everywhere, traffic jams, crowds and construction sites.
One in Yunnan local fisherman's proposal, my parents and I decided to visit the village of Hani. The fisherman said, "in Xishuangbanna, Hani village remaining two. They still live in a traditional house, away from modern life." Early next morning, our family began along the fisherman are refers to the way to the mountains. Mountain road winding through patches of paddy fields, tea fields and rubber trees.
Into the mountains, we also see an old woman is drying corn, a young man in the next reading. When I asked the young man how to get to Hani village, he enthusiastically gave us pointed to the road, and also asked if we had been no. That we've never been, he closed the book in detail to us the way, and later offered to be our guide.
Under his leadership, we completed the remaining 15 minutes away. When we reached the top, see 40 houses built on the steep hillside. We continue to move forward, to see a woman is a piece of clothing embroidered on. She told us, this embroidered jacket is ready for her daughter got married New Year's gift. My father kept aligned these items photographed. Women simply let us put on these garments photographed. After the photo shoot, when I was ready to put things back to her, she suddenly handed me an embroidered purse, said: "you take it, I gave it to you."
I quickly said no, but she insisted to give me. Out of the habit of thinking of the market economy, I quickly handed her some money, but she refused. She said: "I spend the energy in it nothing, you are holding a memorial."
On the way down the mountain, we encountered a family, they're having lunch with. They invited us to sit down on the porch, and sent us water. This is a big family, they looked honest, kind. I give a child a shot digital photos, and then showed him, and he was Xiaohe He ran to his mother.
The next night, I went back to Kunming. Walking in the streets of Kunming and sitting in a restaurant, I suddenly felt the money instead of relatives and friends here. As long as the money, people will be able to enjoy the food, accommodation and other basic needs of life. And the mountains are very different. Hani village tour so I recognize there is more quiet and unassuming life.