First Day in Guilin

The morning following our arrival in Guilin, our American group ate a rice noodle breakfast. We chose from a variety of breads and were served an unknown soup. Leaving our food security in America, our group decided to be adventurous and try food that is enjoyed by the locals. After breakfast, we walked around and experienced the Hong Quiao Market. This is an underground area of commerce complete with clothes, food, and jewelry. It was overwhelming because we were bombarded with people trying to sell us their products. Some would not take "no" for an answer, and they even began pulling us by our jackets over to their tables. Later, we ventured to a museum, looked in a cave, and climbed the Solitary Beauty Hill. It was truly breathtaking, but it was freezing outside. According to a local, "Guilin is coldest ever been."