The next morning after avoiding the local kids throwing firecrackers at us we hopped on a bus to travel from Stilwell’s village to XiKou. We walked thru the old part of town and bought the obligatory souvenirs. Most towns have their own local snacks. This one had two. They have a weird looking potato type of vegetable that is unique to this area. (Sorry Stilwell I already forgot the name) The other one is called 1000 layer cookie. (which is pictured above) It is a rolled and many folded square that is cooked on the inside walls of big open pots. It was made with rice flour and some green stuff which I never could get anyone to identify (sometimes it is better not knowing). It tasted pretty good. XiKou is famous for being the family home for the Chiang Kai-skek family who were salt vendors. It is strange that the Chinese government allows and promotes this anti-communist person’s hometown. The Chinese cannot go to Taiwan but the Taiwanese can come and visit this town to honor their hero. China is definitely a country of contrasts and unexplained exceptions.
