About myself

My name is Zhoukai ning. I am fond of traveling. Furthermore, I prefer backpack traveling to group tours. The latter makes you feel how easy it is to just sit back and let things happen without thinking. But I’d rather map out the trip route all by myself. At the end of my college life, I was weathering my ups and downs and decieded to spend one week traveling to Lugu Lake by myself. It was my first solo trip. From the minute I stepped off the bus, I knew I was in a paradise for it was so beautiful and pure. The weather there was clear with a blue sky and people were so friendly. This driver picked me up and even sang a pice of a folk song for me as a welcome to his hometown. So sweet! I was also in for a real bout of culture shock. You know what? People call Lugu Lake the "Kingdom of women" as they are a matriarch society. Women there boast high positions. They still have a strange custom -The Walking Marriage. Amazing, isn’t it? Every day I saw things I would never see at home. That is the wonderful thing about traveling. Every morning I sat beside the lake and watched the most awesome sunrises I have ever seen in all my days on this earth. Some boat was floating on the water which was blue-green and clear as glass. It was very peaceful. Staring up at huge mountains, I felt so little and my problems seemed so insignificant. I couldn’t help but sigh. The trip was starting to change me. I could feel things shifting in my heart.

On the third day, I met a girl who was going to check out the rest of the lake. I joined her. We went on a hike and explored the mountain walking on narrow and windy roads. It took hours to reach the peak. Some locals were so shocked that two women were traveling alone together. They thought we were brave. At midnoon (use midday or noon), a local woman invited us to have lunch with her family and we could really got a glimpse into the food culture there. You know, to get to see how people live is the only way to truly experience the life of a native. The next day, (that girl) my companion ended her trip and left. She was an exceptional travel buddy who showed me how to have fun and I will never forget her. Then I continued on my solo trip. I was so lucky to meet new people and had an unforgetable time. This trip was full of exciting experiences and some diffcult situations. Finally, I accomplished this adventure. I know it turned me into someone who simply can’t sit still. Lugu Lake has tought me that I can find contentment under every nook and cranny and live in the present.

Hi Zhoukai ning. I love your story. It is very interesting. I'm a backpacker myself and love it.