Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

Our guide told us that the Tibetan people in Zhongdian love music and have a saying, "If you have a mouth, use it to sing, and if you have feet, use them to dance." Even so, I was unprepared for the scene that occurred in the central plaza every evening at 7 pm. The dumpling steamers and trinket tables of the daytime were put away, music played from loudspeakers, and everybody in the plaza formed big, concentric circles and danced. You did not need a partner, and everyone was welcome. There were old people in traditional dress, young people in jeans, men and women, natives and even some tourists like me who did not know the steps, but tried to blend in. It was fun, it was freeing, and it is something I will always remember.