Yesterday, I crept out my self-imposed exile from the world to make a special trip into the wilds of Guangxi to visit a somewhat strange site.
The Chinese government has introduced a scheme to move some of the ethnic minority people out of their poverty-ridden villages in the mountains and relocate them in new villages in areas with a better infrastructure. They are also given training in marketable skills so that they can increase their income. Actually, for many, to get an income for the first time. They are mostly subsistence farmers.
Anyway, it all sounds wonderful, but I'm not so sure. It smacks of "social engineering" to me. But I don't know. Anyway a small group of us were invited to visit one such new village which is a new home to a number of Miao ethnic minority families.
And, of course, we got fed! Here is lunch. I can't remember what every dish was, but will make my best efforts.
These were strange. Shrimp in a passion fruit jelly. The passion fruit was excellent, but totally overpowered the shrimp.
Beef with Black Fungus
Clam and Mustard Green Soup
Pork Vermicelli Something
Mixed Vegetables and Fungus
Beef with Chillies
Scorched Rice 鍋巴 - guō bā with a Spicy Pork Sauce. The best dish I ate.
Green Beans with Chillies
Pork with Chillies
Meat with Taro - not sure what meat. I don't particularly like taro, so skipped this dish.
Looked like leather or stained wood, but was soy braised sweet potato. Rather good.
Rice Paddy Fish with peppers. One of my favourites.
Food. Sorry, missed this one.
I guess this is self explanatory.
Bamboo Shoots
dinner to come
