BTC. Changsha day two- Mao day.

Overcast and polluted.

Mao, all day. History lecture from the Chinese perspective, very mixed, with a view of early Mao, second Mao (devil Mao as second to Stalin), and heroized Mao

Most of those who demonize Mao are from the upper classes. Very few in middle class demonize him.

Well told story of how Mao with 35K troops managed to beat the nationalists with their initial 8millions of troops. He stopped the endless wars of China, or so it is believed.

Mao started the cultural revolution to purge the corruption of CCP, good motives but much suffering especially the upper classes. Without the cultural revolution a real danger of return to warlords via CCP officials.

Poignant story of how mud cakes from Mao’s relatives ended the great leap forward.

Finally the defied Mao. Now a religious festival, as a pilgrimage. Sprung up by itself. A great mass of mostly lower class but many others have defied. Non-political, religious.

Prior to Mao childhood home we stopped at a farmer’s house, house of six persons who grow rice and other crops, self-sufficient selling some rice to the government at a discounted price as a tax.

Lunch was another learning experience. A pot of treatment, steaming, on the table and a metal bowl maybe a half liter. One washes your rice bowl and chopsticks in the tea by pouring tea over the chopsticks while they are in the empty rice bowl. Then pour out the liquid into the metal bowl and repeat.

During our visit to Shaoshen, boyhood home of Mao, and a repeat lesson on how the legal system and culture works. Have seen this lesson many times. No photos inside Mao’s home. Guide says no police. This meant photos are okay. As we have repeatedly seen what is not detected is legal.

Smoking in front of no smoking signs common. When I point to the sign they immediately put out the smoke.

Fortunately QB is better, will eat again in August, birthday cake.

Shopping this evening. Tomorrow we have an 11 hour train journey to Kali. About 800 km Southwest. Sparsely populated with minority people. Need to shop for food on the train.

Photos. The Chinese frequently asked us to be photographed with them. Dafne, an African American was generally the most prized photo subject.