Towards the end of my stay, Xiaoyu's brother, Ming, invited us to a village on the outskirts of Nanning. The villagers were to have a feast to celebrate the New Year Festival. We arrived on the outskirts of the city and wound down a dusty road through fields of rice and fish ponds. At the end of the road was a cluster of squat brick houses, connected by pathways. Each house had a large courtyard for communal living and eating.

Following the obligatory round of firecrackers (during which a part of my new jacket was incinerated!)we went from house to house, drinking Chinese beer and nibbling at the the array of dishes presented on each table. The people were friendly, the men a little drunk from the incessant toasting and a general carnival atmosphere prevailed. Everyone, from kids to grandmothers, was having a good time. I was mightily impressed by it all.

I include a snap of Xiaoyu and myself on location and another which gives an idea of the festivities.