My Dali trip began with 'Longing For' and ended with 'Beautiful as Dawn.' To describe Erhai Lake, I think 'Beautiful as Dawn' is the perfect song. Gazing from the hotel's terrace, the calm lake shimmered like silk, and in that moment, all pretense felt cured, everything, like dawn, could start anew.
The hotel is run by four young people, two men and two women. Some are shy, some are talkative, but all share sweet smiles. From helping with luggage upon arrival to the daily afternoon tea and bedtime desserts, and being on call for anything in Wenchuan Village. Their humility, gentleness, and friendliness give Wu'er a unique charm in a city where guesthouses are fiercely competitive.
The room was clean and the bedding spotless, even satisfying my germaphobic tendencies. The food was delicious, distinctive yet inclusive, very unique but also accommodating. The anxiety I felt on the way here, seeing all the 'influencer-style' guesthouses halfway up the mountain, melted away the moment I saw my tastefully decorated room. I was here for a vacation, and it would have been a shame if it didn't live up to expectations. I'm so glad I chose Wu'er.
On my last night, I booked dinner at the hotel again. While waiting for my meal, I sat in the common area, admiring the beautiful view outside the window. Reflecting on all the drivers, guests, and proprietors I'd met over the past few days, I felt this trip was truly worthwhile. I'll cherish all these beautiful memories as I move on to my next journey. I increasingly believe: 'survival is elsewhere, life is here, in this moment, in Dali.'
Li Jian's songs were playing, and on a whim, I went to ask the lady if she could play 'Beautiful as Dawn.' She smiled and agreed. And so, what I heard, what I saw, and what I thought were all filled with beauty.
Original TextTranslation provided by Google