Wu Zhen
by mikka
Today was our one full day off from in between summer camp programs, and our boss/handler/complaint fielder/drinking buddy Mr. Leon arranged a tour of the nearby "ancient town" of Wu Zhen . As tired as we both are - Iain's attempts to renew his visa are causing massive drama - it turned out to be a really nice trip. The town itself is a long line of old-fashioned houses along a thin canal slung with stone bridges; it's predictably filled with tourists, but beautiful nonetheless, all crooked old houses, weeping willows and cobblestone roads. And if any of these photos look familiar, it's because it served as the backdrop for some movie, possibly one with Tom Cruise, although it was hard to tell:
Mr. Leon: (rapidfire Mandarin) Tom Cruise (more rapidfire Mandarin)
Girl who gets stuck translating everything: He says Tom Cruise made a movie there.
Iain: The Last Samuri?
Mr. Leon (via translator): Yes!
Another Teacher: Was it Mission Impossible? (hums theme)
Mr. Leon: Yes! Yes! James Bond!
Anyway, that's here. Iain is in Shanghai for the night getting his visa sorted out, and I am lonely and bored in our messy hotel room, but today at least was really nice. Tomorrow we are apparently moving to a new hotel, where hopefully there will be internet access, but, as ever, it's hard to know what's happening. More photos of Wu Zhen to follow, hopefully!
