The Magic

As I climbed the steep ridges of the mountains, at each turn, I came across villagers selling cold drinks, cooked potatoes, and hard boiled eggs soaking in tea. Not an easy day’s work!

I was amazed at how the elders set up camps everyday, hiking up and down these mountains with large sacks strapped on their backs. Great exercise keeps them fit.

As I paused to drink my water and catch my breath, a woman twice my age, with a gentle smile on her face, passed me. I used the universal sign for a photo to ask if I could take a picture. Her look of concern was followed by a big smile.

Moments after snapping the image, I shared it with her and several others who had stopped to watch. They seemed amazed at seeing themselves in the view finder. It was magic and they wanted more pictures.

Then, a little boy stopped and pointed to my iPod. I let him listen to a song and his face beamed with amazement! More magic! And, just like that, any concerns were replaced with trusting smiles. As we smiled and laughed together, the language barrier seemed to disappear.

This pretty little girl hiked the Enshi Grand Canyon with her family. I was proud of her as she kept up with everyone!

Giant Golden Panda

As a tall, blond, westerner, I felt the introspective eyes of the locals on me in the more urban areas, but nothing prepared me for my reception in the isolated mountain settlements. For many of the mountain people of Enshi, it appeared to me that I was the first American they had ever seen.

The children surrounded me, seemingly mesmerized by my blonde hair and green eyes. Mothers shooed their children closer to get a better look; the shy little ones hid behind their mother’s skirt, peeking out just enough to fill their curiosity.

My tall stature and lightly colored hair had the men following my every move with their eyes. Women would gather around just to hear me speak. I felt like a giant golden panda. I laughed to myself as I thought that I haven’t turned this many heads since I was nineteen!

They wanted to know everything about me: who I was, where I came from, why I was there! I’m happy to say, I think I left a lasting positive impression.

Large statues oversee the grounds at Tusi Castle in Enshi.