Thursday, 18th April, 2013.
When we woke the next morning, our boat had moored at the rebuilt town of Shíbǎozhài, so I went up to the top deck to check out the tai chi class and catch the misty sunrise.
The mist had blocked out the hill behind which the sun was rising, so the sun looked as though it was inventing itself out of nothing.
Down by the water’s edge, some local villagers were doing their washing in the river.
The government had built them new houses with washing machines since their homes had been inundated by the Three Gorges Dam, but they still preferred the company and the ritual of washing in the river.
It was a very noisy activity, as they beat their washing repeatedly with stout sticks. Obviously not the delicate cycle.
A group of Chinese red hatted tourists from our boat was making an early start.
A light breeze ruffled the surface of the river.
Through the mist could be seen the Shíbǎo Pagoda, which we were going to visit later in the day.
After breakfast, we went ashore. There was even more washing being done in the river.
New houses have been built for the people here, but as there is little work apart from tourism, most of the young people have gone to the cities, often leaving their their children with their grandparents, and only seeing them a few times a year.
The land adjacent to the river would have been submerged during the winter, but has crops being tilled on it now.
A big effort is being made to develop tourism, but my impression was that it wasn’t going too well, and the people seemed somewhat dispirited. Empty sedan chairs lined the walkway, but their owners were quite desultory about offering their services, as no one was interested.
Lots to buy, but no one was buying.
“Come in!” But no one was coming.
Our group populated the empty market.
Chairman Maobama T shirts.
But away with this gloom! Cheery slogans told us we were all happy.
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