BTC. River cruise

Morning rain.

One minute I am drifting awake looking at the riverside towns through a morning haze, then another cruise ship pulls aside. I can shake hands with a passenger on the opposing side.

We have docked at Fengue, Ghost City, in the sense of superstitions. But, it was decided that instead we should visit relocation village and a farmers family that had been relocated.

Before the dam was built the water level in the winter raised 10 meters. After the three gorges 50 meters. So, those on the banks, like the farmer family, had to move.

The village is situated high up a mountain side. Terraced gardens and farming. Often self sufficient for all food, including fruits and veggies, surplus taken to market.

He was, in the beginning, very sorrowful about moving but now very happy. Better spring water, considerable payment, 5000 sq. foot family house of cement rather than mud, no leaks.

I asked him what he thought about America. Very rich, so why do you have to borrow money from poor china?

Afterwards we visited his local market which was in preparation for Labor day (May day) tremendous diversity of foods, not any hint of a monoculture. Outdoor markets very low cost as no transportation or expensive indoor rent. Naturally all parts of the animals. Also some fish in the market.

Cruises, we have been told, have lectures both for entertainment and education. First a talk of how Chinese medicine works. Theory behind stimulating the main channels via acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, scraping with water buffalo horn and red health liquid.