Editor: Kathryne Ogrod & Elsa Zhang
一路上車子走走停停，到達大理古城的時候，那裡正是一片細雨綿綿，萬家燈火的景象，漂亮的小城好像被可以裝扮起來歡迎我們這些遠方的來客。
幾個當地人在古城寧靜的街道上幽閑地散步，在這裡人們永遠是優雅祥和地走在東方人早就出的青石板上，從來不曾急促，而這裡也是充滿熱情的。這裡的姑娘們穿著簡單朴素，素面朝天，展示著自信和不凡的品位。
狹長的街道兩旁有許多小商鋪，大多出售的是當地特產、一些玉器以及一些特別的染制品和獨特的手工制品。在這裡著名的小吃一條街上可以找到很多可口的食物，傳統的中國米線、燒烤，不過那些鍾情於食物的游客也會難免失望，畢竟這裡所展現的全部是大理的特產，所以品種有限。
走著走著，我們看到幾個二十歲上下的小姑娘圍坐在井邊，每個人手裡都拿著一根鐵絲，鐵絲的一段插著大小不一的魚，她們邊吃邊聊，每個人看上去都很開心的樣子。聞著陣陣飄香，不禁讓我想起在學校的時候和同學一起去春游，模仿電視上烤魚的樣子，但是效果卻不是很好，於是大家也就失去了興致。此時，看到這群小姑娘，那種似遠似近的感覺讓我無法言表。她們一只手烤魚，另一只手往魚上撒作料，還不時地相互輕聲細語地說話。我問她們可不可以向她們買魚，她們見我不是當地人，咯咯地笑起來，一個身穿藍色衣服的女孩告訴我，先到裡面做，等下她們會把魚給我們送進去。
我們一邊吃著烤魚，喝著當地的米酒一邊坐在臨街的座位上欣賞美景感受這裡的溫情。這裡可以把你拉回到自己最真實的一面，摒棄瑣碎煩懮，甚至想在這裡談一場戀愛，現代人的戀愛模式只被浪漫和痛苦所定義。其實愛情始終保存著古典的韻味，想到這裡，我不禁為現代人感到遺憾，他們的方式是那麼的呆板。由此我不想離開大理了，想到最終要離開，一種哀怨的情緒把我包裹住了。
夜幕下的大理仿佛安靜地沈睡在搖籃裡。我漫步在街道上與這裡告別。像今天這樣的雨夜，總能聽到大顆大顆的雨滴敲打屋頂的聲音，宛如一曲經典的頌歌，帶領游客追尋這裡的點點真跡。
When I arrived in Dali, it was raining. The car is running then it stops; running then stops. When our car finally reaches the ancient city, the light in every house turned on as if to say: Welcome traveler.
The ancient city has a very serene street. Several local people are walking on it. It is hard to imagine someone walking fast on it because this is a place where everyone walks with grace, peace, and with a purpose. This is a place of both peace and enthusiasm. It is called the blue stone street and walking on it allows travelers to feel the special Eastern affection. The girls here dress simply and from their style they can show their confidence as well as their good taste. The local girls don」t like make-up. Their porcelain face suits everyone and there is no need for improvement. It is true and pure beauty.
There are many stores that line the narrow road. Local products are sold here as well as many different types of jade articles. A special form of dye is made here and it helps many to produce unique hand crafted products. There is a famous scenic road which is lined with many delicious places to eat. These shops make traditional Chinese Rice Thread and BBQ which are known all over China. It is a shame for someone good at eating because the special flavor is believed to be important for the traveler」s journey, but you can only find this flavor in Dali.
When arriving in the city, we see several girls gathered around a well; they are all about 20 years old. Each of them holds an iron thread with different size fish. They are talking and eating. Everyone looks very happy. I can smell the flavor of the fish and as I do, I remember a time when I was in school and several classmates went on spring break and, imitating the television, caught several fish to cook over an open fire. We cooked fish but they did not turn out very well. It may appear easy to catch fish and cook them but when you are eating fish that don」t taste very good and you neglected to bring any other food with you, the fun ends rather quickly. When I saw the beautiful girls cooking and laughing, I felt a far away feeling of sadness, but I also feel benevolence. The girls turn their fish with one hand and seasoning the fish with the other hand. Meanwhile, they are lightly whispering to each other. I ask if I may buy a fish from them. The girls giggle when they see we are not local people. A girl in a blue suit tells me to sit down and they will serve us the fish.
I choose two seats near the street while we eat the delicious fish and enjoy the local wine. This is a place filled with strong affection and romance. When you stay here you can come back to yourself and savor your experiences. You can cast away the trivial things in life and soak in what is truly important. People seem to think that falling in love is the way of modern people; that love can only be romantic with an overwhelming sense of sorrow and pain. But in reality, love has the classical emotional appeal of warmth and tenderness embedded in its core. As I ponder this, I can」t help but feel regret for the modern young people. Their method for loving is so stiff and cold. After my experience in this loving city, I do not wish to abandon Dali; when I think I finally need to go, sadness stains my heart.
Dali is silent cradled in the curtain of night. I am walking down the street and saying my goodbyes to the fairy-tale city. During the rainy season, like today, there are very large raindrops that fall on the roof. The sound is lovely and I regard the sound as a classical elegant song. Dali was made for us; made for the comfort of travelers who are seeking true beauty and peace.
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