This past weekend we ventured to the city of Huang Shan to visit the yellow mountains.
We began with a horrible overnight train ride. Apparently in China, you can buy stand by tickets and when people don't show up you can take their seats. There were people standing EVERYWHERE! For the whole dang six hours too. While on the train, we met some english speaking friends and let me tell you, when one person squeezes into the bubble that is white people, they all just watch. They just stare at everyone and eavesdrop on a conversation they cannot even understand. Its funny. We got to our hostel at midnight and checked in. Now, if you have ever stayed in one, they are known for being pretty dingy, but we got this!
It's a really low quality picture, but this place was top notch. We went to bed and the next day we just wandered around "Old Town" which is exactly what I imagined China would be like. Quaint, cobble stone roads, pagodas on every turn, it was magical!! We shopped and ate and had a really really really good time.
Yes, that would be kissing fish pedicures!
Sunday Morning we woke up nice and early to begin our trek to the yellow mountains. Two hours, two bus rides and about two million dollars later, we began our hike.
I thought this sign was hilarious. You cant really see it well here but one notice they gave you said this
"Attention! Bad weather probably make you in danger."
I love how awkwardly everything translates here.
These stairs may look fun. They don't even look that steep. But after a solid 5 miles, they aren't so fun! Literally, the ENTIRE hike was stairs. Although my thighs were in fire and I thought I might fall over, and it was the hardest workout ever..... how could I not love it after seeing these views?
^This is Bethany, she's cute and so awesome.
Yes I am very aware I look nasty but I have never sweat this much in my life so cut a girl some slack. These pictures don't even do the Yellow mountains justice, sorry about that. We took a gondola down so that we wouldn't miss our bus.
B is scared of heights.
Once we got down to the base, we had to find the bus to get back to our hostel. Unaware that the 20 yuan we paid earlier in the day was a one way, we all ran completely out of money and barely made it home. The stress was real at that point but I'm grateful for experiences like this that help me learn and grow. For instance:
1. Never go to the Yellow Mountains, or frankly anywhere, on a Chinese Holiday. I swear the whole population was hiking with us.
2. The Chinese have no common laws. If someone cuts you in line you must push them out of the way.
3. Always bring way more money than you believe it will cost, and then some. Chinese people have no shame in ripping the innocent foreigners off.
4. God is real, how else could China be so beautiful?
In conclusion, I would like everyone's input on my theory which is, God created the mountains in China on the first day and was procrastinating with Arizona. Unable to make Arizona beautiful on the 7th day because he was supposed to rest, he crammed an all nighter, gave us the sunsets and just left the rest.
On a happy note, my mom and sister come to visit in 3 weeks from today, can I get a Whooyahh!!!!!!
-Taylor Janae
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