Picking Onions

Despite the rampant westernisation here, most of the countryside we've seen is farmland and there's still plenty traditional, labour intensive work being carried out; this lady is picking onions on a small plot right next to the main road into Dali. Given the mass movement of people from the country to the towns though, it makes me wonder how long these small plots and farms will survive.

We've left very wet Lijiang behind and taken a train a few hours south to Dali which is also wet but warmer! Lijiang station is brand spanking new, in stark contrast to the train we just rode. I think it's last outing must have been as a prop in a fifties film; apparently it was a 'temporary train' drafted in for the holiday traffic. But it was a nice change from taking the bus and everyone got a free sweetie. That should be compulsory on every train!

Dali old-town seems interesting, we walked a little bit this evening before finding a wee place for dinner; green bamboo-shoots & pork, scrambled eggs and tomato (that was a mistake, should have been braised tofu!) and a few Beerlao - ace! We've decided to spend a few more days than planned here, looking forward to trying as many local dishes as possible. Not Grandmother's Twice Cooked Pork though - I tried to order that tonight but the waitress wouldn't let me. Must be an acquired taste.