China – The ’3′ Stars

An old man begging, and pissing off a couple of shop owners. I saw him walking into shop kitchens and helping himself to food. (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

On our fist day X’s family took us out of Shanghai for a lunch at a …crab food complex extravaganza. By a lake, dozens of almost identical crab restaurants nestled on piers. This is the non-lake facing, entry side, where people live on little boats, and fish for and farm crabs. I was tired form the flight the day before, tired from the early wake up, but X’s family were great hosts, and it was good to be thrown in the deep end so early on. (Om-2N, 24mm)

 

 

Day two, on the way to the local camera supermarket to buy some film. (5D, 24mm)

 

 

The two boys had hung around me for a while, but the girl in the back hadn’t. I love how she’s trying to make sense of it all. (1V, 24mm, Rollei 400)

 

 

Locals of the watertown, Tongli. (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

Another ‘old vs new’ statement, common in Shanghai. Not sure about this photo. (Beier Precisa, 75mm (MF), Tri-X)

 

 

Same old woman as before, a resident of Tongli. (Seagull TLR, Tri-X)

 

 

An elderly man having a rest in Tongli. (Seagull TLR, Tri-X)

 

 

Another one from the sleeping market. (Om-2N, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

Restrooms at the World Expo.

 

 

You know, come to think of it, looks like the Chinese probably invented the siesta as well. I’d ask X, but she’s having a nap…   (1V, 24mm, tri-X)

 

 

Three generations of women enjoying some delicious, mouth-watering corn at the World Expo. (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

Ok, the World Expo. This was the line up to get into the Saudi pavilion, one of the most popular ones. Waiting time? 6-8 hours. This photo is not the end of the line – merely a break in the snaking line patrolled by soldiers (i believe). At first I was in awe, then amused, then realistic. For the vast majority of Chinese, the world is China, and it always will be. The curiosity to see other countries and cultures is staggering, hence the lines and waiting times.

The North Korean pavilion was…interesting. A big house of propaganda – but I was more interested how the actual people (N. Koreans) interacted and behaved, especially with caucasians. Some displayed genuine pride, others the kind of pride when a gun’s pointing at your head. In hindsight, I should’ve bought more souvenirs, and taken some photos inside. (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

A snoozing cabbie. I’m tellin’ you…the siesta.

 

 

 

Similar to the one in the previous set, but a little better. (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

I’ve got a bad habit of shooting people as they’re eating, although I haven’t done it in a long time (intentionally). (1V, 24mm, Tri-X)

 

 

A local character form a street market. (1V, 24mm)

 

 

Taken from The Bund, a vista of the ultra-modern and spectacular Pudong skyline. Despite being choked with thousands of people – 90% of whom were Chinese tourists, The Bund was one of my favourite places. I guess I’m a sucker for grand vistas. Oh, and good luck kid.

 

 

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