Xugou

The school in which I work is around 40km away in Xugou. I enjoy working in a different city and it has afforded me the luxury of getting to know Lianyungang better. I have a two hour lunch break on a Saturday, so once I have stuffed my face with Mr Yu's exceptional cooking, I go exploring.

Kids' pottery painting tent

 

 Sesame bread. It's sweet and greasy and delicious and costs 2 kuai (20p)

Smallest shop in the world?

Xugou is on the coast and it has a different feel to Xinpu. It feels breezy and open. The street food differs slightly and you can get a whole array of delicious goodies for next to nothing. I have one rice lady that I go to on a Sunday when Mr Yu is off. She serves up enough for two people and it costs me 8 kuai (80p).

I also have a favourite rice cake lady who sells little cakes with various fruity toppings for 2 kuai (20p). Another cart I frequent sells banana pancakes for 1 kuai (10p). I try to walk past his cart on the way home from work but the smell is so intoxicating my defences dissipate and I buy three.

 Bananaman

There's a fantastic market in the middle of the city that sells everything from fruit, veg, meat, eggs and spices to bikes and shoe repairs.

I've got crabs

Not all in one basket

 Goo goo ga joob

The beach is as expected. Filthy. Even though at first appearances it looks pretty, thanks to the heavy industry of the docks there is no way on earth you would want to venture into the sea. The biggest nuclear power plant in China, Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, is situated near here and a whole host of industrial activities go through Xugou.

 

 

 

Just walking around is an adventure. People are unbelievably friendly and are eager to talk to you. The Chinese are the least bellicose company I have ever kept. The mutual curiosity makes every day fascinating. People will call out 'Hello' in the hope of getting a response. Chatting to strangers is a rewarding way to while away the hours and  invariably leads to a new discovery or some good food or an experience that you can take with you.

 

It is still not warm but the season is definitely changing. Colour is appearing everywhere and the sun appears every few days to lift the gloom.

China seems to be in a permanent state of construction. In Lianyungang there are the usual building sites plus the development of the BRT bus system. The unusual thing about these sites are that the gangs are always made up of many women. People come into the cities from the provinces to work on whatever project needs to be worked on. All of the women look incredible as they wear beautiful headscarves in an array of different bright colours.

 This lady was too shy to have her portrait taken but she let me photograph her scarf from behind.

Every moment is an adventure. Simply stepping outside the door is concomitant to experiencing China in its fullest and richest form.