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Climbing up to a Little Girl's Village by Pearl
We jumped off the boat’s gangplank. The mountain roads were steep as we climbed up and up to the village.
Rabbit
These Drum Towers are one of the Dong people's unique trademarks.

Rong Jiang, Guizhou
Rabbit
Mei proudly models the exquisite costume that her mother made.

Rong Jiang, Guizhou
Beautiful terraced fields of rapeseed and tea trees were interspersed between rice and vegetables. Right on top we stopped so that I could savor that breathtaking view of the mountain ranges, the forests, and the dense villages of well-built Dong homes. Among the houses one could spy their Drum towers, for which the Dong people are famous. And down at the river we saw the Wind and Rain bridges that we left behind.

I met Mei, an 11-year-old girl, who is proud of her father who writes songs for the people of their language group. They are well known for singing beautiful group songs antiphonally. Mei’s mother and grandmother are well known for their beautiful embroidery. The photo shows Mei dressed in the costume that her mother had started to make for her since the day she was born. Every spare moment was spent on embroidering those lovely clothes.

They welcomed me into their home, where I visited for three days. One day, Mei’s mother was busy in the kitchen. She was preparing “oil tea,” a special beverage for visitors. First the oily soup was boiled, and then as we sat around the table, bowls of it were ladled out. Then a handful of dried cooked rice was sprinkled into my bowl. The crackling sound was great. Then I added fried peanuts. With the drink are little plates of preserved vegetables. Ah! That lovely, nutritious drink warmed my heart and body that spring morning.

Wished I could stay longer, but all good things must end, and good-byes needed to be made. I promised to return, and I still have yet to fulfill that; but I know that I will do that one day.