Poop Soup & Bamboo in the Rongshui Mountains!!!!!

We travelled on up into the mountains...it was difficult to capture the immense wooded mountains, full of bamboo trees, so you will just have to take our word for it!

It was amazing!

Our Panda was excited too!!!!

We arrived in a small, very "wooden" town to visit our next group of Rongshui School Girls

We just loved wandering along the road - lots of smiles........

and sights to see

many pet birds in cages hanging by the doors:-(

I LOVE doors, and thought this one looked great.

However I discovered on asking that the writing said, please don't throw your rubbish down here :-)

                       
                      This was the view below which had been spoiled by some rubbish down below

                                                                         Beautiful Doors
                                            still with their New Year Greetings displayed

Wood is everywhere in Rongshui

Trees, wooden shacks, wood piles

Very different from other Guangxi areas visited so far

                                                      Arriving at the school to meet the girls

They were very excited to see the team, but sat quietly

                                                    posed for their photos for sponsors

                                                 filled in their forms to share with sponsors

                                      watched by Women's Association Leaders, Teachers and Parents

                               Meanwhile the wee ones made new friends and occupied themselves as always

                                                              More Panda Cards from Scotland!
                                To say Thank You for sending Sweetie & Sunshine to share with us :-)

 Saying Goodbye, 

with gifts from sponsors and some wee words of wisdom from Uncle Xu ( Matthew)
This support makes so much difference to these girls who live in the poorest of homes!
Many here are supported by Chinese families who know just how hard it is for them here.

                               Then off for the most amazing lunch we have ever had in China...............

                                                    Checking the Bamboo along the way........

                                              The home-made Tofu on the table outside

                                                              Inquisitive looks from young locals........

...as these strange peeps walked down their road!

                                        These little ones appeared to be happier to see us :-)

and even happier to see themselves on the iPad

                                 Lucy has promised to take the photos to them on the next visit!
     Typical Market here with VERY fresh chickens & ducks, along with every kind of fruit and vegetables.
                                                          No weekly shop at Asda here!

Love this lady with her bright Miao colours & cheery smile :-)

Now, this is the bit we did NOT like so much.

As we were welcomed into the restaurant for luch by the village leader & Woman's Association,

we passed these BIG wasp like creatures on the way in....

                                               
                                                        Matthew laughed, and said LUNCH!

                                                        I really did think he was joking....

                                                              But apparently NOT!

Matthew & Helen appeared to try them, but I noticed them discreetly placed under a plate :-)

But worse was to come..............

a plate of deep fried tiny birds that had been caught in nets:-(

Matthew was told that if he touched them, we wouldn't let him back into the van!

                                                          Even worse was the Poop Soup!!!!!!
                                                          I couldn't even bear to take a photo!

It looked like Poop!

It smelled like Poop!!

It was the contents of a cow's stomach just before Poop!!!

And it was a great delicacy!!!!

The Rongshuiers loved it........

..and while we greatly appreciated the hospitality,

I'm afraid the girls went for these when we left :-)

Next stop.....finally we get right up into the mountains and meet our ladies..........