nanning

Nanning was my staging post for entering Vietnam. It's another busy, crowded Chinese city but not much else. On arrival, I met two German girls and we decided to travel to Hanoi together. First we sorted out accommodation which wasn't great. With hindsight, I can see why we ended up in such a dump. One of my teutonic friends was a text book, hardcore traveller whose sole concern is paying next to nothing for everything. Regardless of whether she actually insults the seller with her counter-offers. The other one was pretty enough for me to forgive her of anything!

The highlight in Nanning was meeting up with a Nanning girl by way of hospitality club. I was staying for a short time so it seemed a nice idea to meet someone for the city. Learn something about the place firsthand rather than the usual guide book experience. After some initial confusion about meeting times and places, we met up. She took me (plus the two frauleins) to a meal with several of her mates. It was a posh restaurant and she wouldn't allow me to pay. The Germans were v happy! Then she took us by car around the city to see what few sights there are. Finally, she took us to one of the city's more upmarket Karoke bars. Again, I wasn't allowed to pay for anything. The Germans made no such protests.

It was an incredible thing. For someone I have never met and had only exchanged a couple of emails with to be so generous and hospitable. I will forever remember Nanning for that.