Spent a full day somewhere in the Cangshan mountains with the funniest local guide, trying to communicate with bits of English (thank you for translating, Yu), a little Cantonese, and my very limited, barely existing Mandarin (I really need to learn).
Xiaoqi drove us deep into the hills, bringing us to a Yunnan family living in the mountains. Using ingredients and produce from their land and farm, they cooked organic, homemade dishes for us: fern, broad beans, home-aged ham, various vegetables, corn from their land, and tomato eggs, all tasting so good and wholesome. Home-cooked meals made by grandmothers are my favorite; no restaurant could beat them for me.
We walked through forests, hills, and meadows, meeting a very sweet grandma living alone in the mountains along the way, with Xiaoqi telling us more about all the flora of Dali, introducing us to the flavors of local edible plants and flowers, and taking in the changing landscapes, all accompanied by the mountain family's adorable little dog.
I discovered a new favorite fruit called bayberries (sweet, sour, refreshing, and pretty) and watched the sunset from inside a car, while Xiaoqi drove us out of the mountains in his van back to the city. There’s something special about watching the sunset while driving with the windows down...
What I found most affecting was how connected to nature Xiaoqi seemed, and even though he does this hike quite often, he still seems in awe of everything.
A day without any reception, but didn't miss it once