Beautiful pictures. Thanks.I have a Sichuan story too. In 1988, I was lviing in Shenzhen, China, as a businessman (long story). As I was unable to speak Mandarin (at that time), I had hired an interpreter who originally hailed from Chengdu, Sichuan.The Government of China allowed me to import a car, tax-free, provided I didn't take it back when leaving (China). Long story short, since I had green license plates (yes, those could go anywhere in China there were odd rules at that time), I asked my interpreter James, Yang Lap Soong, if he knew the road to Beijing. I wanted to drive all the way from Shenzhen to Beijing.The 22-year-old (at that time) replied, I know the road to Beijing from Chengdu, Sichuan. But not from Shenzhen. But I know the road from Shenzhen to Chengdu, Sichuan as well. All rightey then. Why wait? So one fine morning, three of us (alongside one of his friend) started from Shenzhen to Sichuan.The smarty pants was actually taking us for a monkey ride (literally). As he wasn't quite sure about the roads. Needless to say we reached Chengdu, Sichuan after a week (shouldn't take that long). His mother was a great host, and we spent three days in and around Chengdu. I was happy and forgave James for the monkey ride.Then we started for Beijing. It took us three weeks to reach Beijing (I know, again, shouldn't take so long).Anyway, the great trip took us through many cities and provinces, and now when I think back, I am happy James didn't know the roads or directions.Looking at the pictures you have posted, Cec, I remember the villages, the carefree life of locals, their desire to be as generous as possible to their guests, overall optimism, and happiness all around.I was shocked by somethings. Like gas stations (petrol pumps) actually using a hand pump to pump gasoline straight from a barrel into the car tank, while the attendant was gladly smoking (and offering me) cigarettes. Kinda dangerous.And the fact they didn't know how to repair punctured radial (tubeless) tires of my Toyota Corona. And therefore, I ended up with two tubeless tires and two (different size) tires with tubes. The feeling of driving that car was, um, odd. And by the time we returned to Shenzhen (long long time later), my brand new car looked like a village truck.All the troubles, fun, tragedies, and comedies of our trip aside, it was a great time. Good old days. Really.And to think all that was wiped out in minutes by this earthquake Words cannot express the feelings. Yes, everyone should give generously to the great people who did the same.Once again, thanks for the pictures, and a return to memory lanes in the morning.Ciao!PS: James and his mother are safe in Guangdong. His father already passed away long ago. So well, at least someone I know from past in Chengdu, Sichuan is still around.