Selling Grapes on the Li River -Vicky Gooch

The Chinese people know they have something special in the Li River.  The rock formations are nothing short of amazing.  Sure, there were fishermen at work and water buffalo along the shore.  But I saw a lot more vacationers enjoying a ride or a swim. We took our ride on a big lazy tourist boat with an open deck to take in the views.  Those tall fuzzy plants along the shore are bamboo.  So the traditional boat is made of bamboo poles lashed together to form a raft.  Fisherman use them with nets on tall poles or big water birds called cormorants who dive in and retrieve the fish which goes into a basket on the raft.  Who needs a rod and reel when you can use a bird!  I think it takes a lot of skill to stay dry on a bamboo raft.

But you should get yourself to the Li River soon!  I discovered that the bamboo raft has a competitor. Check out this lovely little tourist boat on PVC pipe.  It had cozy benches, shade, cooler for your lunch and a speedy motor.  No need to stand and paddle.  Still, it didn't have the same traditional appeal.  It was missing that warm honey colored wood and those dark ribs that announce the bamboo as a living growing thing.

Whenever a big tourist boat happened along, this entrepreneur paddled his bamboo raft out to meet it.  His crate was loaded with grapes to satisfy hot tourists taking in the sights on the upper deck of the tour boats.  This was not a job for the weak or tentative.  He had to push off from the shore and paddle hard.  Then he tie his raft to the side of the bigger boat and passed his produce up to his hungry customers.
Tourism is an important business in this area of China.  I saw so many people bringing their traditional crafts and activities to share with the many tourists from urban China or farther away.  As this flow of curious visitors arrive, the local people respond.  This human connection with each other and the environs caught my attention.  This is what I wish to share with you.  Here’s a peek at the grape seller.

 Detail of “The Grape Seller”

24” X 18” Oil on Stretched Linen