Jinan Springs Eternal

Jinan is a hot, dry city with nothing special to recommend it. It has one of the poorest air qualities in the world. For one reason or another I have spent a half dozen nights here. Batou Park with nearby Spring Square is the focus of the city. Spring water rises here fed by the nearby mountains. A friend showed me around yesterday. Since then I have moved along, yes back to Xingtai though it will be a cameo appearance. I have already said good-bye, twice in some instances. The bus trip here took five hours but was a window on a sea of activity. Corn harvest is just starting, the cotton pickers are out in force and water melons continue as a bumper crop. Rice elsewhere is doubtless being gathered (too dry around here). Wheat and peaches are pretty well in for the season. Our monoculture wheat harvest seems boring in comparison. Do you think Estevan should diversify into Chinese dates?