Scenes from a recent trip to Chongqing, China
Scenes from a recent trip to Chongqing, China
Although there are many very modern buildings in Chongqing, one of China's largest cities (The population of it is almost equal to the total population of Canada) I preferred to photograph scenes of ordinary life this time. Chongqing was for a time the location of the Chinese government of Chaing Kai Shek during WWII, and was bombed often by the Japanese. It was also the home base for the American Flying Tigers. As well, it is my wife's home town so I visit there once a year. This time I spent a little over 3 weeks there and it rained 18 of the days.
This photo and the next one were actually taken a few years ago but I wanted to include them with my recent photos.
Hardware store
Street market
Red chile peppers and other necessary cooking ingredients
That will be 3 yuan please
Ducks just hangin' out
Eels, if that's your taste
A store in the old part of the city
Making noodles
An Indian food chef - delicious roti
Silk threads unwound from silkworms onto reels.
Flattening something, don't know what
Street scene
Check out the costume that guy is wearing
Another street scene
There is just so much to see here in China.
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are beautiful. I always enjoy seeing your pic's from China...thanks for sharing them.
Thanks. I've been here for 8 years, but 8 1/2 years ago I never would have in my wildest dreams believed that I would travel to the Orient, let alone make a life for myself here.
It must have been a Culture Shock ! Did it take long to adapt?
Great photos Buzz, enjoyed them very much. Keep posting more of them.
It was not that great of a culture shock because my nephew was waiting for me - he is the one who convinced me to come here. As well, life in the big cities here is not so different from back home. In Toronto we have two very big Chinatowns, and once you get to know those places it's not that different here in many areas, and then many areas have modern high-rises (I live in one) and I just left a department store that has Cartier, Coach, Boss, Gucci, Armani, Cartier, Clinique, etc. etc. departments. I travelled there and back on the subway.
Don't worry, Kavika, I'll keep posting more.
I'm surprised the Chinese still shop in stores-- I thought they bought everything on Ali Baba! (Just kidding).
Interesting what you mentioned about it being like Chinatown's in Toronto. In many ways it reminds me of what I've seen in Chinatown's in the U.S.
It's amazing how many buy goods online here. Apparently they have a relatively foolproof system including a form of paypal as an itermediary to guarantee payment and assure proper and immediate delivery of goods in the expected quality. Personally I don't use the system perhaps because I'm a little old-fashioned when I buy things. I want to see what I get before I get it.
The street markets are similar to Chinatown, but the stores in the old part of the city are a little more touristy.
Just realized what I called ducks were probably geese because of their long necks.
I'm gad it wasn't a "major adjustment" for you.
I've always wanted to go there, and now, thanks to your pictures, I feel like I've made a flying trip there! Thank you, Buzz, for posting these!
Isn't Chongqin, what we used to call Chungking?
I remember when the Internet began to take off (amongst individuals users). One thing that struck me back then was that there was a very large interest in the 'net amongst the Chinese--- much more than amongst the Japanese. (Surprising, as Japan is a much more "developped" country).
Recently Ali Baba has been making headlines in the U.S. because they just had a n "IPO"-- that is to say that the company went public on the stock market. . As of last Friday, it was possible to buy shares of the company:
Apparently it is an exceedingly well run company, and it is growing very rapidly. (I believe almost all of their business is in Asia-- they still haven't made much headway in the west. But when they do they should be giving Amazon.com major competition).
I just saw a program about Jack Ma (Ali Baba founder and head of company). He is an amazing guy-- a true visionary & idealist.
I asked a friend of mine who has traveled to many places what was her favourite country to visit. She said it was China-- so many people she met were so friendly & down to earth-- and there were so many fascinating things to see.
Buzz,
These would be categorized as "genre" scenes scenes of everyday life and activity; they are also "documentary" in their own way.
I have noted in the past when you have posted images of this nature, that they are just outstanding to look at and rich to absorb in terms of content these are no exception. Please post more and more.
I believe a number of these would make terrific posters (as you know, a favorite "genre" of mine in terms of presentation).
Great photo essay, documentary, genre art!
Jack Ma is considered a role model by some of the students I have taught. Achievement and success are sought-after goals here due to the intense competition.
@Dowser. Yes it is. China has reverted to the original names of cities. Beijing was Peking, Nanjing was Nanking, Chongqing (pronounced "Chonching") was Chungking. etc.
@Krishna: Everyone I know who has travelled here has been fascinated. Remember that there are things to see from 5000 years of history here. As for the people and their attitude towards foreigners - they might ask you if they could have a photo taken with you. In 8 years here I have experienced only two examples of people not being friendly and/or helpful to me.Thank you for your kind words, A.Mac. As long as I am capable of doing so I will continue to take and post photos.
Thanks, Buzz!
Someday, I hope my son can go there, and bring home lots of goodies!
I will look through my collection and see what might be suitable for posters.