A couple of days in Tongren - Day 3 (!)

The couple of days in Tongren turned into three!  I knew I would be there a third day and originally expected the third day to be the wedding.  However because of yesterday, I thought Wendy had made a mistake and thought I would go home.  So I packed up my things, checked out and got back my deposit.  I sat in reception and texted Wendy.  I told her I needed to get back and asked if she wouldhelp order a taxi.  She seemed puzzled, was I not staying for dinner?  I agreed but understood dinner to be midday meal.  She otld me to go to the nearby Jiank Hua Hotel.  It was about fifteen minutes away.  I'd be there by about twelve fifteen.  It actually took me about half an hour because the schools had just let out and they had not seen a foreigner for a while!  The walk was refreshing due to the variety of shops along the way; far more than in Jaingkou.
The hotel was situated on a huge roundabout and finding a way to cross the road provided some difficulty, but I am now getting used to the technique.  As this was a main road there were iron railings in teh middle of the road to stop the constant  'U' turning of drivers.   It seems no one has ever reversed into a side street to turn around.  If you are going the wrong way you simply 'U' turn or three point turn.  Small road, main road, the technique is the same, hence the iron railings to prevent this.  Anyhow I fond a gap and marched out in front of a few cars... no point in waiting, you'd be there for ever!  You have to guage it correctly, and personally I stare the drivers down.  Usually works, did this time and in no time I was at the other side of the road.  At the hotel it was rather more difficult.  Tongren dialect.  Fortunately, one of the receptionist's children was there and between the three of us we worked out I needed to be upstairs!  The reception room was nice, but empty! That was the lunch dinner confusion.  The reception started at 4pm!
Other peoplestarted to arrive early and I was given tea and tangerines!  We chatted a bit and eventually time passed and Wendy arrived and ushered me to a table.  Soon afterwards the ceremony started and I wandered around taking photos and videos!
The ceremony ended with the groom on one knee putting a ring on the bride's finger, after which the food was served!
I took loads of photos and videos, far too many to upload here, and some of them are too big to be hosted here.  They are all in an online album here: ( the link opens in another window)


After teh food I asked Wendy to get me a taxi to go home.  I picked up the taxi outside the hotel and we headed off, however, this was a didi taxi and it needed three passengers, we only had me , so we toured around Tongren until we found two more and then headed home.  The videpo below gives you a flavour of Tongren by night.  The musical accompaniment is the drivers radio ... not my choice!  A very interesting and refreshing three days!


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