August 2, 2012
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Suzhou + Xujing wedding 2 Jan 2012 (Day 1)
Xujing was a mainland exchange student from Shanghai in my uni when I was in year 1 (2003). She met her husband Wenquan in my school who was another mainland exchange student from Sichuan. They were apart in China for 2 years, then they both moved to US for their Master degree and PHD. After 9 years of effort, they finally settled down together in US and decided to get married. Xujing and I seldom meet each other but we are very close in heart. I was shocked when she invited me to be her maid of honor, but I would love to be the special one for her. So, I flew to Shanghai for this old friend wedding.
Of course, as usual “Winky practise”, I will be traveling before the wedding. I never give up any chance on traveling. This time, I picked Xitang (西塘水鄉),Suzhou (蘇州)and Jinze (金澤水鄉)。
My friend Guangdong spent 2 days with me exploring Xitang and Suzhou. He drove me from the airport directly to Xitang.
When we got there, it was about sunset time.
I chose Xitang because I heard that it was not as touristic polluted as other water villages like Zhouzhuang(周庄), but it was disappointing.
Xitang was not an original water village anymore. Everywhere is touristic, everywhere is those shitty souvenirs shops, I hardly find any real water village life there, EXCEPT in the very very early morning, before all the touristic spots are opened.Good night Xitang. Hope to see a beautiful you when I wake up in the early morning.