Snakes and Bridges

I rushed to get ready so that we could leave the horrid building and get some fresh air. We took a short walk to the market which was an experience like no other. We entered the large building which seemed to stretch forever and was home to hundreds of individual stalls selling all kinds if unimaginable food. I was immediately drawn to the stall which sold live snakes. They slithered around in bags next to the buckets of shrimps. I walked a little further to witness the surprisingly bloody sight of the afore mentioned reptiles being cut open alive. As if that wasn't enough to disturb me, I also saw ducks being boiled alive. Hundreds of nauseating stalls selling caged hens and all kinds of fruit and vegetables that I couldn't even identify were crammed inside the building. Looking across one stall selling meat, I couldn't help but notice the flies sucking on the blood soaked knives on the counter. Fish were also kept alive. Not in tanks of water, but squirming around on the surface of the tables. I saw one uncomfortable fish wriggle and fall onto the floor as the monger tried to bag it for the customer. The strong smell of spices from the many people selling perfectly square piles of the colourful powder helped mask the nasty smell. Surprisingly when we left the market I had totally lost my appetite.

After a quick look around the main areas in the city we decided to head for the hills were we could get a cable car ride to the very top for spectacular views of the city. We met a very helpful woman on the street who spoke good English and provided us with some useful information. When we got to where we needed to be, Ali ran into the nearest KFC so that she could use the bathrooms. I stood outside and waited on the busy street just outside. I realised that sometimes it's good to just stop. Stop right where you are and observe your surroundings. It's so easy to get carried away with the flow of things and not really appreciate where you are. I learnt a new phrase today whilst reading an information board detailing the history of the city gate that was in front of me. It described the design of the entrance and how it trapped intruders "like a turtle in a jar". It meant that once inside, they couldn't get out. I was surprised that I hadn't heard this expression before.

A few unsuccessful attempts later, we arrive at the cable car. For 25rmb the ski lift (a more accurate description) took us on a 30 minute journey over one peak and to the top of the next. The views of the city were excellent except maybe a little hazy. We walked down the other side of the hill along a trail through the dense woodland. We stumbled out back onto a main pathway where we were reunited with all the other tourists. We stopped for a game of backgammon under a small pavillion high up overlooking the city (Ali is desperately trying to catch up - she is almost 3o points behind now). I eventually succeed in trying to take a picture of a lizard. We walk a little further until we arrived at a huge fish pond with yet another pavillion. The reflection of the trees on the hill in the still water was so clear and perfect. Saw lots of baby frogs and wondered where the grown up ones were hiding. We stopped briefly at an amusement park consisting of many different types of physically challenging bridges crossing a river. We had loads of fun until we realised it was starting to get dark and we were in the middle of nowhere. We started our long walk back to the city but luckily managed to share taxi with two men who were in the same situation.