China Tour Blog #5: New taste sensations! New musical adventures!
This is what greeted Esprit when we checked into our W Hotel in Nanning! We could not believe the sight of a full sized horse lamp! Getting off the elevator on the ninth floor, we were greeted with a corridor that literally took your breath away. It was an airport runway!
We all had to quickly settle in and head off to dinner at the 'canteen' on the campus of our hosts, the Guangxi Arts Institute. Since it was so incredibly hot we all changed into our most comfortable shorts and running shoes and headed out en masse with our most wonderful young volunteers who were delightful, enthusiastic English speaking students from the Institute.
We blanched when we confronted the street outside. Crossing it was like crossing the 401 Highway in Toronto. We could not believe the numbers of oncoming cars and motorbikes. There are almost no traffic lights on these wide streets, and crosswalks really mean nothing! You have to walk with (foolish) determination as the cars and motorbikes do not stop for pedestrians. Hint: taxis do. So you have to have a strategy as you stare down the wheeled enemy and believe me, you have to have courage. Ask any of the musicians.
We successfully made our first road crossing in Nanning and were led to the canteen. Something seemed amiss. We were there for our canteen meal but there were others who were (seemingly) joining us and they were dressed well!
IT TURNED OUT TO BE A SPECIAL WELCOMING BANQUET FOR ESPRIT (!) complete with Festival organizers, official speeches, official interpreters, toasts, and a ten course feast! Surprise! We weren't dressed for the occasion, but we were greeted with such genuine warmth and enthusiasm all discomfort at the faux-pas in dress code vanished as we got down to the serious business of chopsticks and non-stop food. During the ten courses, our hosts got up and went from table to table toasting the musicians with special welcoming words.
The food? Let's just say, it was splendid! From a whole mound of utterly delicious sea crabs to one of their regional specialties: a whole fish mounded with hot peppers, lotus roots, fresh bamboo shoots, onions and other delectable treats simmering on a brazier on the table. Dig in!
Dish upon dish of fresh vegetables, seafood, and meats. And for dessert, a mound of fresh litchi. These are grown in the region so they are at their peak freshness, so juicy and tasting so incredibly sweet!
New taste sensations! New musical adventures! Nanning, Guangxi Province, China.
– Alexina Louie