Last weekend it rained. I rented a bike hoping to cycle around the countryside both days. Saturday I was drenched on both attempts and Sunday it rained steady enough that I made no attempts.

After all that weekend rain, I wasn’t too surprised at the size of the Li River Monday morning. It was the widest it has been at the DuTou crossing. Looking back at FuLi from DuTou, the river was a churning expanse of brown water. The steps to the boat landing were covered. The boats now docked on an equal plane with the gazebo. By the afternoon crossing, we could not disembark at the normal landing. Instead we were left off at a bank to the left.

Wednesday was a once-in-four-years large celebration in FuLi. So between my morning class and my afternoon class, I went back to FuLi to check it out. What I found was an arena where twelve groups performed their rehearsed songs, dances or skits. I met up with DuoDuo and a trio of Norwegian coeds who had already acquired “special guests” status so I caught the last few acts from the judging stage. Then we were taken to lunch by the photographers who were swarming the place.

Thursday morning these foods were being sold at the entrance to the large covered market in downtown Yangshuo. In the front are the greens that are always available for stir fry. Next to them are the peaches that are in season now. We eat them a bit greener here. And behind the peaches are small melons that we eat like an apple: skin, flesh and seeds in a juicy bite. And at the very back are the pumpkin flowers that are cooked in soup or sometimes stuffed. The pumpkin vine is even more common than the flower as a stir fry vegetable.

Thursday afternoon two young men came out to DuTou to film a piece about volunteer teaching. They were working for a Yangshuo TV channel or a Guangxi TV channel….we’re not exactly sure which. Nice guys. We had fun with the filming, but we were all a bit nervous too. It’s a little discerning to have a cameraman following you and asking you to repeat a movement!

Thursday night it poured ALL night! School was canceled Friday. I’m sure the Li River at DuTou was hen da (very big)! Still I was unbelieving when I heard the main streets of Yangshuo were flooded. Unbelieving that is until an Owen College student showed me his photos Friday evening. Saturday morning when I finally made it downtown the streets were already dry or drying, but the flood damage was evident as shopkeepers started putting their worlds back together.

In Yangshuo the Li River was indeed da (big). Here the boats, normally at least 15 to 20 feet lower, floated at street level. The place where we have barbecued was covered.

We’re waiting to see if the rainy season is over. We haven't had rain for two days now.