A Trip to the Countryside

During our winter break Eric went to visit a student at his home in the countryside. The trip was about 19 hours each way by train. If that's not enough, imagine the ride back without a ticketed seat. This means you stand or hopefully sit on a small portable chair or bucket in the aisle of an open carriage with people standing all over you with bags and boxes, overnight... I could go on, but maybe you should just ask Eric. Hm... Welcome to holiday travel.

The time there though was very enjoyable. He got to hang out with his friend and his family, meet the locals, learn to ride a motorcycle, watch some Olympics, try numerous plates of interesting food, and tour a large city nearby. He also had some quality conversations with people he met.

Below you'll first see him learning to ride the motorcycle with the owner watching. Next is the courtyard of his friend's house. All of the roofs slant in so the rain comes into the middle of their home from every direction which is supposed to bring luck and blessing. Then you have the colored chicks!

This last photo is a sweet shot he got at a second lunch. (Five meals that day.) A variety of food including potatoes, lotus root, peanuts, cucumber, something he told himself was noodles, gelatinous meat, and banana bread (our contribution). Note the small chairs too.