First day. My plan: walk around the lake. 8 hours later, I realise I have walked quarter of the lake. I have lost the track of time. I have stopped every 20 meters. Enjoyed this stunning scenery and watching people. There are old people everywhere. They are singing, mainly local opera, playing music, with traditional instruments, they all have mini acoustic sound systems, playing cards, dancing on Chinese music, in couple, in groups, alone, playing dominos (Pai Gow)…  I find it all fascinating. I could watch them for hours. It’s so  nice to see so much life around in the parks and streets. I stopped at a group of old men who were playing music with traditional instruments. I stayed a long time… So long, that at one point, the men looked at me, smiled and started to speak to me. I said ‘I don’t understand’ (my favourite sentence) but I also said the music was beautiful (mei). They smiled even more, pointed at me and at the instruments, and all started to play looking at me. Haaaaa! I believe it might be a song for me?? Anyway it is what I want to believe, and it was a very special moment. (even if I was probably as red as the Chinese flag!). After a good hour enjoying their music and company, I carried on my little walk. After 5 minutes, I stopped again, being attracted by the sound of more music and authentic Chinese dancing moves. As I was sitting on a bench watching the dances, how was my surprise when an old man arrived next to me and invited me for a dance! I couldn’t refuse! It’s easy he said! Or anyway it’s what I understood… One two three… Yi, er, san… Now, one two three four… Yi, er, san, si… Haha I can’t stop laughing, trying to understand the steps and all the moves! How fun this is! I might not be the best dance partner, but he seems to enjoy the dance too! End of the music. End of the dance. Xie xie. Thank you. Back on my bench, trying to find my breath again. One dance goes by, and once again, I get invited by another old man. Let’s do it again then! This one has lot of energy! Turning, turning, turning… And he keeps speaking to me in Chinese. I pretend to understand and we laugh together. Yi, er, san, si… Keep counting, starting to get the moves, on the left, straight, turn around, on the right… Oh how much did I enjoy that! After a little while, I keep going. More local operas! Lot of smiles! Sometimes I laughed with people when something funny happens… Another day alone, but felt so much company and joy all along. People of China, you are charming me. And this beautiful nature of the West Lake to go along. It feels so romantic. Second day: I rented a bike (yes you might have noticed it has become my favourite mean of transport despite the crazy Chinese streets!). I go far, far, far… Away from the crowds. Found some very remote places around the lake. Beautiful nature. Trees and plants everywhere. Next to a little pond, I found a man playing the flute. Some beautiful classical melodies. Mei Mei (beautiful), I told him. And here he was, smiling and playing for me. Another man joined us, and we three together, improvised our little band. The flute player, the orchestra conductor and me as a singer. Oh what a laugh it was! And another very special moment that I will keep very preciously in my travels’ memories. A beautiful sunset was just the perfect ending for these 2 days in Hanghzou.