In my hometown in the north, this was the month when rivers were frozen over and mountains snowbound. But spring comes early to Yunnan, urging the flowers to bloom.

• 我是北方人，论季节，北方也许正是搅天风雪，水瘦山寒，云南的春天却脚步儿勤，来得快，到处早像催生婆似的正在催动花事。