We left Yangzhou and drove "to the countryside" Our driver had driven from Guilin with the bags and he picked us up to drive us on for the afternoon
We saw more beautiful, lovely, amazing scenery and Helen asked us if we wanted to visit a friend of hers.
Naturally we jumped at the chance.
Actually we did not jump as it was too hot but we were soon decanted from the car to a house close to the road. The lady is a widow who, as many grannies do in China, looks after Yang Yang, her 18 month old granddaughter. She lives in a huge barn like room with a huge picture of Chairman Mao on the wall and a flat stone where the fire burns in the winter in the middle of the floor. We were offered peanuts which she grew and were invited to sit down and admire Yang Yangs antics.
Yang Yang very quickly forgot her shyness and played to the small crowd of three she had before her. She chattered to us in Chinese and loved it when I showed her a picture of herself on my camera.
Yang Yangs Granny lives in what can only be described as uncomfortable circumstances. But she lives as many people in rural China live and it contrasts starkly with many people who live in modern if small apartments which are air conditioned and heated and have some of the home comforts that we take for granted.
This lady had a sofa but it was hard. I think it was recycled and had a hard board seat instead of the cushions it might once have had, and she had a tiny table and little stools which would be at home in an infant school. Yet she is a proud lady who welcomed us into her house, gave us tea and her home grown peanuts and was happy to meet us.
Outside and in a separate building was her kitchen and bathroom!
There was a log fire over which was placed a wok like pan and a cupboard where she kept some dried goods and eggs from her hens.
Her bathroom consisted of a bowl, a small mirror, a jug for water and a little towel. All balanced or hung on a chair and in the corner of her kitchen.
Of a loo there was no sign so I can only imagine what the arrangements for this were.
With all this it was a very happy visit and we left feeling pleased to have been there.
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