The girlfriend's folks came up to Kunming for a visit later in the week. While she was at work, she sent me out with them after checking that I was okay with it. I kinda know her parents. They've always generously given me rides home whenever and however; each time I visit, they make me coffee, and readied fresh cut fruits. They're cool. Out with her folks for the day at Jiuxiang Scenic Region (九乡风景区), I silently muttered swear words under my breath. She win lor, send us to this venue!!! The whole reason why I avoided this place the last round is because it's a cave system, and it's got stairs. I've got an inexplicable fear of heights, crowds and tight spaces. At gigs, I choose to compromise on sound and stand next to the exit. I try to get over these fears through diving, and the occasional rock climbing. But I avoid shipwrecks and caves like crazy. When I simply concentrate on crawling up the cliff, I don't remember what's at the bottom. Jiuxiang, is going to make me keel over.
Going up and down those steps into the caves at Jiuxiang, I broke out in cold sweat. I tucked the camera away in the backpack and steadfastly climbed up and down, going "KNN" quite a number of times under my breath. I focused on the girlfriend's folks, making sure they were okay balancing on those steps. It was quite a bit of an exertion. WAH LAU. I had a full first aid kit in the backpack, with a splint, antiseptic solution and creams, and gentian violet lotion. You know, just in case. For the folks. But really, you can guess it's probably more for me than anyone else.
Everyone gamely completed the route in 2.5 hours. There's one way in and one way out. No such thing as turning back. Slow stroll, but tiring for the folks. It was down down down, then up up up all the way. I was bloody thankful to be out of the cave and into sunlight. Then, there's ONLY one friggin' way down. Via the compulsory extra payment of 35yuan (on top of 90yuan entrance fee) precarious creaky chairlift. WTF. I'm not on the ski slopes. That was the ultimate "KNN" that escaped aloud. Luckily nobody heard. I sank into my ride and gripped the rails really tightly. When we reached the bottom, my companion primly told me to stop stepping on the safety bar so that she could lift it and we could hop off. Oh yes. That. Didn't realize I was exerting so much strength to hold on for dear life. :P
2 comments:
can't say i read that without missing a heartbeat. thank gawd you're okay. i remembered a post about some high-up steps that you refused to climb that had you adamantly squatting at the bottom. you were cute though.
-misti
misti: it'll be okay. just a matter of mind over body!
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