Fengdu's people hammer away at the rubble that surrounds them

As barren and lifeless as Fengdu seems from afar, you begin to feel a pulse when you step into the shadows of its buildings. Reach the first intersection and the place comes to life. Traffic, both automotive and pedestrian, fills the narrow side streets. Walking down these streets and through the market, you come across the inhabitants, sitting around. Some are selling, but most are just socializing. It's as though there's not much else to do (aside from chipping away at concrete), so they sit around and wait for the Yangtze to rise.

The standard of living here is so alien that it is shocking. Their homes are literally crumbling around them, in some cases with the help of the people who reside in those same homes. The flood can't come soon enough. This city is dying... a Ghost City.

It's a long day tomorrow. Waking up early to catch the first of the Three Gorges. Then we'll be taking a sampan to see the Lesser Gorges. I hope the fog doesn't completely obscure everything.