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四川磨西 和 海螺沟冰川公园    二零零七
Sichuan Moxi and HaiLuoGou Glacier Park in 2007

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     On a 3-day tour to Moxi and Hailuogou Glacier National Park, with a group of Chinese tourists, as the only Westerner, I found myself surrounded by enthusiastic hospitality and curiosity. The eight hour ride twisted up and down the brutal mountain ridges of central Sichuan, with my companions eagerly pointing out the many interesting sights. I shared my snacks with all, as did most everyone else. My pocket translator worked overtime, asking and answering all the questions we could think up.
     We stopped in pouring rain to walk across the famous bridge in Luding. The story says that after Nationalist troups had stripped the plank walkway off the bridge, Mao and the valiant 20 soldiers fought their way across the bare chains of this 100 meter suspension bridge while under enemy fire.
     We soon found ourselves back aboard the bus winding ever higher into the mountains. A hurried tap on my shoulder and an eager hand pointed up to the window at junction of Bus wall and roof. There, for perhaps 45 seconds, was revealed, the towering summit of Gongga Shan at 7556m (24,784 ft). It then disappeared, never again to be seen by our party.
Part of our tour group arriving in Moxi      We rolled into Moxi in time for dinner and a long walk up the steep, shop-lined main street of the town. We had rooms in three different hotels, mine being in the very comfortable Bingchuan Fandian(Ice River Hotel). After finding my bag and my room, I went out to see a bit of Moxi, and soon found myself sitting with a family of Tibetan herbal remedy merchants. They did their best to explain their numerous products, but my Chinese and pocket translator were barely adequate for this feat. Suddenly, a little girl walked in with tea and sliced oranges, and I was invited to join them. I have worried about my hosts ever since the big earthquake in mid-May, since Moxi lies at the southern end of the worst-damage zone.
photo © Lance Nevard

Looking out over the trees and roofs of Moxi These two images were taken at the Tibetan Buddhist temple in the heart of town. The photo of trees and roofs looks directly out at Gongga Shan's lower slopes, while the clouds rise in the morning air, from the valleys below the village.
The girl and her mother are from Chengdu and along with the unseen dad made delightful companions on our journey. 		Girl and her Mom at the Buddhist temple in Moxi
photo © Lance Nevard photo © Lance Nevard
Girl selling skewers of yak meat roasted in traditional Tibetan herbs The dynamic friendliness of the local population made it rewarding to make the effort to get to know them. In the evening darkness, I wandered up and down the steeply pitched main road, stopping in a couple of juke joints wherer you could find a bar and some people dancing to the favorite tunes of the moment. There were also numerous food stalls, restaurants, bathing suit rental places and Tibetan Herbal Medicine Stores along the slope. The scene gained in magic in the wee small hours. I had a fabulous walk at about 5 am, watching the darkness turn to rose and shadow, especially at the Buddhist temple. Tibetan vendors selling medicinal herbs
photo © Lance Nevard photo © Lance Nevard

 
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