Some of you saw the short version, but here's the long version.

My friend Adolfo wanted to find a temple near Beilun, and I have yet to see a local one here, so I asked to join once I got the front tire on my bike fixed. It was completely flat so I took it down to the Giant bike shop to get it pumped up. Since I have a Giant bike, they do this for free.

ENTER strangers #1.

As I left the Li Ren complex, I passed about 8 guards standing outside the guard station. The same guards who don't do anything except march around our complex twice a day (Hi hooo!!!!!) I typically smile and wave at them as I ride past, but this time I was obviously walking my bike so they were a little confused. When they saw the flat tire, they all started to do a monkey dance, which definitely caught my attention, and then pulled an air compressor out of their little house. Who knew? Even though I was only 2 blocks from free air, they didn't know that, and they graciously offered to pump up the tire. These guys are so wonderful. I thanked them many times and went on my way.

Adolfo and I got some directions in Mandarin and we headed out. I always love directions from the Chinese, because often times it's "Go straight, then turn right. Then turn left. And then you arrive". But there often isn't a street name mentioned. How do we know where to take the first right? We stopped periodically to ask people on the side of road for directions, just to make sure we hadn't missed any turns. About an hour in, I noticed that my tire was loosing air. I was watching it since I a suspected slow leak, but apparently this was a "fast" leak. I noticed the leak at the same time that we saw our first road sign indicating that we were close to the temple. Can't give up now!

ENTER stranger #2.

A slightly miffed mechanic on the side of the treeline highway. He's got a dirty, greasy shop on the side of the road for fixing ebikes and whatever vehicle you might have in China. I walked up and showed him the flat tire. He did a head shake, as if to say "really?" and took the bike from me and pumped up the tire. Adolfo's handle bars were also loose, so he tightened those up too. And just like that we were quickly on our way again. It was so worth it, we were in awe when we reached the temple. On the road up to the temple, we saw a monk in his long robe, standing outside using a smart phone. I very much wish that a picture would have been appropriate. Then my camera died about half way through, so my apologies that I didn't get any pictures from the top. I definitely intend to go back again though! It was set up like the Forbidden City, so there were several temples in a row to walk through. It just kept on going!

The entrance.

Adolfo

Inside the first temple. A little scary.

Walking up to see the GIANT Buddha.

Only to discover there were 3! I'm just a head taller than the table in front of these guys.

We also found this. We're not sure about this, so I'll let you know once I ask June. Any ideas?

On the incense burner.

So pretty! And so far out in the hills. So peaceful.

I want these lanterns. They had a whole row of them, all beautifully decorated.

I think this dude is pishu, but I would be wrong. Again checking back on that.
Background on pishu: he's a mythical lucky animal that brings good fortune and good luck. His mouth is open, and he doesn't have a rear end, so the fortune/"money" that goes in, has no place to come out.

ENTER strangers #3.

After more than an hour at the temple, we returned to our bikes to find that my tire was completely flat again. We walked from the temple to a little village just below it. Some guys thought we were lost when we turned to enter their 20 house village, but I showed them my tire and they promptly dropped what they were doing. One guy had a pump, and the other a needle, and they pumped it up for me. And again, we were on our way! Such awesome villagers.

At the bottom of the hill though, my tire was flat for a fourth time that day. I was a little nervous to approach the mechanic again, but we really didn't have another choice. Hitch hiking is apparently not a universal sign in China.

BACK to stranger #2

When I arrived, he took one look at my tire, and told me it was "bu hao". Well of course it is awful, that's why I'm back. He flipped the bike upside down, and I realized maybe I was going to get a new one from him. I asked how much it was cost, but he told me nothing. He pulled out the tube and found two leaks in it. He plugged/glued/patched them back up, and then tested the leaks in water. I was actually quite impressed with how thorough he was. Maybe he didn't want me to come back again! But after plugging the first leak, he checked again and found the second. Pretty awesome dude!

And he must have done it right, because we made it back home no problem. On my way back to my apartment, I rode the elevator with one of the guards. He tried 3 times to start conversations with me, but I just could not get what he was saying. Then I realized, he must have been one of the original guards who helped pump up my tired the first time. My how things go full circle. I smiled and said "very good" several times which seemed to make his day. So I'm hoping that we had the conversation that I think we had.

All in all, a very good adventure. A very beautiful temple. Very awesome, wonderful, helpful people along the way. Just a good day.