“Every exhibit and recreated skeleton of a dinosaur is an astonishing monument to science and imagination combined.” -Old Sean
Cataclysm Valley
If you had told me when I was a child that there was an 300 year old earthquake zone in China displaying a pantheon of life-sized dinosaur statues on fractured islands, I would have flown out immediately. I probably wouldn’t have made it further than a Midwestern airport, but the enthrallment was there. And fortunately, the enthrallment was sustained until I finally arrived in Xiao Nan Hai over a decade or so later.
As it stands, in the land dubbed Xiao Nan Hai, I got to see a stunning lake crafted in crux of thirteen intersecting valleys. Afterwards, I performed an embarrassing (though unrepentant) sprint through the area, seeking out the giant dinosaur figures artfully and naturally placed on the shorelines.
Within an hour, I had effectively demonstrated all the qualities of a rabid fangirl.
I like dinosaurs. The concept, the recreations, the imagination and the science behind them is entirely interesting.
Into Xiao Nan Hai’s Valleys
Naturally, I didn’t limit embarrassing myself at just one Chinese earthquake zone. After visiting the central lake area with all of its alien terrains and impossible hues, I hopped in a car and began driving deeper into the various valleys. Xiao Nan Hai has thirteen intersecting valleys, so visiting them required a lot of doubling back.
I spread my (apparently) endearing idiocy to a massive, exceptionally manicured garden known as the “Sea of Flowers.” The rest of my drive was spent delving into various old-towns scattered throughout the Chinese countryside.
I accomplished this with my exceptionally expanded knowledge of the Chinese language, now consisting of seventeen poorly-pronounced words.
Twelve of which are numbers.
It’s a little astounding I don’t starve from lack of accurate communication.
Back in Chongqing
I’ve been spending most of my time in Chongqing, China. I’ve started to get a little blubbery since I’m eating out frequently, munching on spicy foods, steamed breads and heaps of red noodles. My morning walk to work usually includes checkered pineapples on a stick each workday.
Granted, my daily jaunts through mountains, stairwells, rain-slick streets and riversides tend to foil my blubber-aquisition efforts.
During my time in Chongqing, I’ve touched the toes of an enormous, golden Buddha. I’ve sailed a ponderous boat down a shallow river, where the rudders broke and paddles were hastily brought out. During mountain hikes, I’ve wandered down neglected goat trails, picking herbal ingredients for noodle bowl soups.
Other than some mild exploration, I’ve worked helped edit my friend’s thesis and completed some of my own writing jobs. Overall, it’s been a rather nice pair of weeks.
Soon, Chinese Labor Day (May 1st) Holidays will be upon us, and I’ll begin hiking and traveling a bit more.
Best regards and excellent trails.
Old Sean
Written: May 1st, 2017
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