On our trip to Guilin, we visit the little village called TianXing Cun just north of Guilin. The main purpose of the visit was to find the elusive traditional farmer with his water buffalo ploughing a rice field.
There were many "distractions" on this off-the-beaten-track excursion. While photographing the backlit mist rolling over the familiar Karsk mountains a local stop next to us on his 125cc motorbike. He is the local restaurant owner and saw an opportunity! He convinced us that we will be in great need for his food after the exhausting photo session coming up.
After negotiating the lunch menu (and after making sure he will have cold beer for us) our lunch appointment was set for 12:30.
We continued on our initial plan of finding and photographing the traditional farmer with his water buffalo.
Although we did shoot him to death (with our cameras) we were finished much sooner than expected. To make up the time till lunch, we explored the village itself.
It was a jewel on its own. But we were obviously not the first photographers visiting this quaint little village. Many of the locals asked for money to pose for a photo in exchange.
On one such an occasion, we were walking past a half-open door, and when peering inside we saw a little lady busy extracting water from her well. But before we could photograph her, she became aware of us and walk towards the door. My first thought was that she is going to close the door, but she actually opens the door and then told us that we need to pay her if we want to photograph her. She wanted RMB10. This is such a small amount that we did not even try to negotiate the price. We were not planning on buying anything so we actually had to scratch to find the RMB10. After paying her, she invited us into her courtyard and went back to the well and start pumping some water.
After letting us photograph her from all angels, she went into her house. We were not sure if this meant we were supposed to leave or if she is just fetching something. But then she called us in.
She was busy feeding her fire with some fresh wood. She then explained that she is actually busy distilling some local "wine"!
She is the local distiller!
The photo session ended with a "wine tasting session"! And believe me, that alcohol will bend any knee!
Later, at lunch, after having a few cold beers, the restaurant owner also brought out the "local wine". By then, most members of the group were strong enough, and sitting down, to try a sip of this heavenly nectar. The problem is, you don't actually get to drink it, it just vaporises in your mouth!