Ni
Hao. Hello to all you wonderful people. I have to say that things
have changed a bit since I last wrote. I am now checking under
the sheets to find out why the bed is so hard. Aha, I have been
sleeping on box springs, not a mattress. That is when I do sleep.
I have been waking up from 3 am to 5 am. I would not even call
it going to bed - it's more like falling into a horizontal position
and passing out.
I have seen many beautiful landscapes with layered mountains
in the hillside of Guilin. So far, Yangshohas been my favorite
place to be and photograph. It is a small fishing village where
mainly backpackers go. A difference that I am seeing is that
travel in China is mainly in groups and there is not much single
travel. I like Thailand or many other places that I have been.
I think that is also why I liked Yangsho because there was a
sense of independent travelers. Quaint narrow streets with cafes
and shops, local markets, etc.
I have really seen a difference in trying to arrange things
here. Everything takes a long time and this one has to ask that
one and that one has to ask this one. The other thing is everything
is stamped for approval. You wait in one line to get the paper,
another one to get stamped and another one to get what it is
that you are getting. There is definitely still a sense of communism
in the air. The government officials walk around with a blank
look on their faces and corruption, in terms of paying people
off, is everywhere.
I have been shooting like crazy and have really enjoyed experiencing
local life. There are many things that I am shooting that I would
normally not shoot. But I am on assignment and have to remember
that the goal is to please the client. It's hard being a travel
photographer. But I am happy to get this experience to know first-hand
what it is like. Here are a couple of the interesting finds I
have learned while here in China:
Chinese believe that food and sex are the nature of human beings.
This is a problem for me. First off, I am not attracted to Asian
men and second of all, most of the food is covered in an oil
slick. They eat everything and anything. Last night I went to
a restaurant that had a selection of snakes to choose from for
your entree. I realized how tired I am when I was walking down
the streets photographing and went down an alley thinking I saw
a hanging skinned cow in front of a butcher. Well, as I got closer
it was a hanging dirty rug. Maybe I need to change my contacts.
In China, they rate their bathrooms using up to 6 stars. But
according to my standards, I have been seeing no-star bathrooms.
I have been opting to go outside rather than in the bathroom.
And I am never in my hotel room to use that bathroom. If I do
go to the bathroom, I listen to people coughing up their leftover
mucus and spitting it on the floor. The smell makes even the
locals gag.
I saw Peking duck in a bag and bought all of you your own personal
duck in a bag. Just Kidding! I am at a point where my clothes feel
like they could walk off of me. The days have been hot and humid
and I cannot wear shorts for many reasons. So I have been living
in two pairs of jeans. I am not in a place long enough to do laundry
so this is it. Less is more most of the time anyway.
These are just a few of the differences I am experiencing. Because
everyday my senses are totally absorbing my surroundings, I am
filled with all different observations. I have taken lots and
lots of pictures. Let’s hope I have some good pictures
to share with you so you can see some of these experiences. It
makes travel more fun when you never know what you are going
to find yourself in. Let’s say I have tapped into my sense
of adventure.
I am now going to fly to Yunan Province to photograph the tribal
people, but my flight was postponed so now I have to wait 8 hours
to get the next flight which means I have to pack three days
of shooting into one. These things happen all the time and I
have learned to be patient and go with the flow. I also think
I was a luggage carrier in my past life. I am going to think
I am carrying pillows when I have kids. Let’s just say
I am getting good practice. Miss and love you.
I hope you all are well.
Jennifer
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