Two more days... We went from Lianyungang to Nanjing. We actually completed each leg without getting lost. The first leg we were something like 6 minutes too fast and the second leg we were about 2 minutes too slow. This is the first time we actually got any kind of score so we looked for the scores at the end of the day where they are supposed to be posted in the lobby but they weren't there. I've stated over and over that "rules" in China are really only suggestions and people break them all the time but my wife set me straight and came up with a better explanation for this behavior. Instead of looking at it as "rule breaking" behavior, it's better described as "being flexible". Conversely, in the USA we are far too "rigid". It makes what sounds like an insult for the Chinese to actually be a compliment. From now on I'm going to use the "flexible" terminology when I tell people about China. Anyway, this rally is like that, it's pretty "flexible". Whatever the eventual score is, it really is not that important. What is important is meeting people and having fun.
Now today we made the run from Nanjing to Hangzhou. This was our best day as we were only something like 45 seconds early on one leg and about 50 seconds late on the other. Seems we might be getting this rally thing down. I'm going to have to post many pictures and some video of this event somewhere (haven't yet decided what is the best web service to use for this - I hate facebook).
Driving in China is very unique. With the "flexible" rules you never know what to expect. Yesterday a big truck almost nailed us as it came barreling out from our left and came all the way over to the far right lane without even slowing down or looking for oncoming traffic. I had to lock up the brakes and screech to a halt stopping with about a foot to spare. Of course I drive "flexible" myself and after watching many others passing on the shoulder and going through red lights, I joined right in (actually I have always observed such "flexibility" here in China and was anxious to become flexible myself). I've even passed police vehicles and cut them off in traffic (common practice). It's so liberating to know that these cops are not going to zip up behind me with lights flashing and tough-guy attitude with their hand on holster like I'm going to jump out of the car with guns a-blazing...