Feelin' Fresh

About a week after we five arrived, the team took a weekend retreat in a mountain village about an hour's bus ride south of the city. Our lodging, called a "农家乐" (nóng jīa lè, or "Happy Peasant Home") was plenty more primitive than anyplace I'd ever stayed in the States--no heat and no running water (but we had electricity)! But its simplicity was met with warm comfort and deep satisfaction. The chilled mountain air was crisp and fresh, the sky was brighter and bluer than I've ever seen it in the city, and there was a profound peace about meeting with the Creator right in the midst of His magnificent creation.

 Cheerful countenances capture the joy of belonging to this close-knit community.

 Traditional-style red paper lanterns, along with corncobs and persimmons hung out to dry, adorn this rustic countryside home.

Crimson-colored wildflowers emerge from a stone wall along the mountain trail.

Roomies! 

(L-R: me, Amber, Margaret)

Chocolate cupcakes were a sweet birthday treat for Andrew (seated), whose 22nd birthday we celebrated during our marvelous mountain retreat!

Splendidly scenic view of the mountain village from halfway up the hiking trail.

Behold, what brilliant blue!