6/23/13

6/23/13, Cili

Today we drove to the top of a canyon and hiked down it. It was so beautiful! I love spending so much time out in nature because it allows us to appreciate it so much more. Around halfway through the hike we had the option to pay extra to take this huge slide down a little further, so of course, we all did it and it was a blast. We had to wear these canvas things that tie around your waist and legs. I was trying to go as fast as I could. Throughout the hike there were signs with little phrases about protecting the environment. I see this very frequently in China and I appreciate it so much! I never see things like this in the states. If you’re in a forest preserve in the states and there is a plaque it is usually about what type of tree is right in front of you, or it might be a map. In China it’s usually something about respecting nature or disposing of trash properly. It’s great for environmental awareness. After the hike we went to see the Jiangya Hundro-power Dam. We couldn’t see much so we stayed for a little while and left. I was just thinking about how we learned about how detrimental dams can be in class. Dams seem like a harmless way to produce energy at first, but they have negative affects on the organisms in the water because of the reservoirs and temperature change.

We then drove to Cili and are staying in a hot spring resort. When we first got here we all went to the hot springs! It was so amazing! I’ve never been to a hot spring before. They had one large main bath and then there were smaller ones that had different qualities. Some of the baths included coconut water, salt water, coffee water, rice wine water, ginseng water, mint water, and some other herbs I’ve never heard of before. It was extremely relaxing. Kris and I did the fish treatment, so we sat by a pool with fish in it and they ate dead skin off of our feet! Sounds really gross. When the first fish came near me I freaked out and thought I couldn’t do it! But then I got used to how it tickles and was able to stay in. My feet have never been so soft in my life! It was such a cool experience. I never thought I would be able to have fish eat my feet!