Another week, another mountain
November 8th, 2005 by Greg
I’ve been in Kunming just over a week and its been quite a busy week. I’ve met some really nice people and have engaged in considerable drinking and karaoke. The photos are from a walk in the Western Hills on the outskirts of Kunming. I went there with Martin, the guy who’s floor I’ve been occupying for the last week, his girlfriend and her sister. Its a pretty place and a taxing walk, although not nearly as enduring as Taishan last week. The Western Hills are free of charge, or at least the route we took was as opposed to the ¥80 RMB it cost to walk up Taishan. However, the beauty of this scenic spot has sadly been spoilt by an obscene amount of litter. The photo does not really do this justice. As you walk around you see all manner of disgarded junk, mostly plastic packaging and wrappers. This really got to me and makes me think that they probably have the right idea charging lots of money to go to these places. The money seems to be well spent as I didn’t see any litter on Taishan. Its extremely unfortunate that the steep prices exclude a great many people from going to these sites of natural beauty but at the end of the day, unless it is to be heavily subsidised (unlikely to happen), I cannot see another way. The harsh reality is that in the long term the environment is more important than a fun day out in the hills. The solution is probably in education but thats something thats got to be home grown. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts I don’t feel particularly comfortable inflicting my opinions on people who live in the country I’m merely a visitor in. But then again the environment is one of the most important issues facing China today and one that affects us all. Thankfully there are some encouraging signs such as a series of eco-cities about to be built.
On a lighter note, I’ve found a flat and all being well should be moving in tomorrow. Its really small but was so much cleaner and well-equipped than the other ones I saw. I’ve only signed a 3 month lease so can find something larger shortly. Almost got myself a job too and have met some really friendly people so its all looking up for living in Kunming.
Small flat = less mess
Bigger flat = bigger mess
Are we to take it that the lack of blog activity over the last week is due to your “considerable drinking and karaoke” since getting settled?? xx
no, just not that much been happening. got a flat, sorting a job out etc…, Now that I’m no longer travelling the blog entries are likely to become less frequent. I want to try to keep it reasonably interesting so I’ll only post when I feel like I’ve got something worth saying.
Been reading your blog and fascinated. Hope you will get around to writing some more soon. Keep well. sue