fahim mohammed
Well-known member
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My World: Postcards from China.
- Thread starter fahim mohammed
- Start date
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
How did you get the invite?
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Was a street photo shoot. I just walked up and joined the party.
I found the Chinese to be a very hospitable, friendly and helpful people; towards me. Courtesy, a smile and respect goes a long long way; it did for me during my visit.
I think more snaps were taken of me than anywhere else..LOL. I was the only brown soul around.
While there were foreign tourists, almost exclusively from the West, local tourists far far outnumbered any foreign tourists.
I stood out. The Westerners were..well..accepted. I was a curiosity. Especially in the villages and rural areas. Where did I come from? Was I alone? Here we got to know each other . I showed photos of my family and grandchildren. Talk would ensue amongst themselves. Tea was offered. I, sometimes would indicate if I could take a photo..all without a word of Mandarin...
I found the Chinese to be a very hospitable, friendly and helpful people; towards me. Courtesy, a smile and respect goes a long long way; it did for me during my visit.
I think more snaps were taken of me than anywhere else..LOL. I was the only brown soul around.
While there were foreign tourists, almost exclusively from the West, local tourists far far outnumbered any foreign tourists.
I stood out. The Westerners were..well..accepted. I was a curiosity. Especially in the villages and rural areas. Where did I come from? Was I alone? Here we got to know each other . I showed photos of my family and grandchildren. Talk would ensue amongst themselves. Tea was offered. I, sometimes would indicate if I could take a photo..all without a word of Mandarin...
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
I prefer the quiet life. Away from Beijing and Shanghai.
Time to sit, contemplate. Rejuvenate myself. Away from the noise of a metropolis. The smell of the green. The sound of the birds. The sight of lovers strolling or whispering to each other..But that is just me...
Time to sit, contemplate. Rejuvenate myself. Away from the noise of a metropolis. The smell of the green. The sound of the birds. The sight of lovers strolling or whispering to each other..But that is just me...
Wolfgang Plattner
Well-known member
Hi Fahim
what a superb portrait of the litttle child and his mother ... I love it.
what a superb portrait of the litttle child and his mother ... I love it.
Cem_Usakligil
Well-known member
Fully agreed.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Wolfgang, Cem...so very kind of you guys. Much appreciated. Thank you.
China abounds with parks. Beijing, for example, has one of the highest concentration of parks for a city of
that size. Big and small. Wonderfully sculpted, spotlessly clean..and green and greener. One can visit therm anytime, but come early morning and a drama unfolds..
Teachers and students..Tango, Waltz, Samba..name it and the beat goes on. One cannot help but join in..
China abounds with parks. Beijing, for example, has one of the highest concentration of parks for a city of
that size. Big and small. Wonderfully sculpted, spotlessly clean..and green and greener. One can visit therm anytime, but come early morning and a drama unfolds..
Teachers and students..Tango, Waltz, Samba..name it and the beat goes on. One cannot help but join in..
Robert Watcher
Well-known member
Was a street photo shoot. I just walked up and joined the party.
I found the Chinese to be a very hospitable, friendly and helpful people; towards me. Courtesy, a smile and respect goes a long long way; it did for me during my visit.
I think more snaps were taken of me than anywhere else..LOL. I was the only brown soul around.
While there were foreign tourists, almost exclusively from the West, local tourists far far outnumbered any foreign tourists.
I stood out. The Westerners were..well..accepted. I was a curiosity. Especially in the villages and rural areas. Where did I come from? Was I alone? Here we got to know each other . I showed photos of my family and grandchildren. Talk would ensue amongst themselves. Tea was offered. I, sometimes would indicate if I could take a photo..all without a word of Mandarin...
Beautiful Fahim
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
If this could sum up any visit, Fahim, it would have been great! It shows love of mother and child. That, we hope, persists for a lifetime and gets converted to treasuring and respect.
A perfect start for anything!
Asher
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Robert, Asher..thank you for your encouragement. Salute.
From the Grand Mosque in Xian. Built during the Tang Dynasty...
I need to straighten it...later perhaps.
From the Grand Mosque in Xian. Built during the Tang Dynasty...
I need to straighten it...later perhaps.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
But where is the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the other iconic places. Not in my collection, I am afraid. Some little detail from them perhaps, but Flickr has millions of them for viewing.
The new and not so old...
The new and not so old...
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Chinatown..in China.
Antonio Correia
Well-known member
I like your photographs Fahim !
I do like very much the last one very much for example.
Nice to share these views with us all ...
-
Next time I travel I will post some of my own.
I do like very much the last one very much for example.
Nice to share these views with us all ...
-
Next time I travel I will post some of my own.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Antoni, thank you so very much. I would love to see your travel images, my friend.
As it happens, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city entrance lies about 200-250 meters behind me..leading to the huge multi-lane Boulevard and from there on to these sites. Mao's Mausoleum lies within that complex too. So does the Conference Hall of the PRC.
As it happens, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden city entrance lies about 200-250 meters behind me..leading to the huge multi-lane Boulevard and from there on to these sites. Mao's Mausoleum lies within that complex too. So does the Conference Hall of the PRC.
I like your photographs Fahim !
I do like very much the last one very much for example.
Nice to share these views with us all ...
-
Next time I travel I will post some of my own.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
The ancient village of Lijiang, Yunnan Province. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain forms the backdrop to this image.
Cem_Usakligil
Well-known member
All great captures Fahim and the scenery is beautiful.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
What is this in English? I asked my guide.
He thought for a moment. Started to say something..stopped. He started again and stopped with a sheepish grin on his face.
' I don't know ', he said. ' There is no word in English for this '..
' But you know what it is? '. I knew, as a very educated and probable guess.
He thought for a moment. Started to say something..stopped. He started again and stopped with a sheepish grin on his face.
' I don't know ', he said. ' There is no word in English for this '..
' But you know what it is? '. I knew, as a very educated and probable guess.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
deleted........
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
I had landed in Kunming, Yunnan Province. A city preferred by those in the know as the most livable city in China. I was met at the gate by my guide, Janet ( her English name ). Straight to the hotel, for a night's rest.
Early next morning Janet was waiting for me in the hotel lobby. A very pleasant young girl; speaking very good English. We have a very busy schedule today, she said. And there followed a list of things we had to see and do, as she read out from her iPad.
I paused. Come, I said, let's have coffee first ( I had already had a heavy breakfast ). But we shall be late for the local market and then.., I cut her short. So what?
You will miss to see it, she replied. You have paid for it as part of the tour, she added.
Janet, what I have paid for is a suggested itinerary and a private guide and car. What we do and don't do
is at my discretion, not yours or the company's. My responsibility. My money, my choice.
She was uneasy..the office would call to find how the tour was going. I shall talk to Carol, I said; my program director in China. Janet relaxed. We had coffee together, croissant and a lot of talk. Her job, education,family etc. It was 1030.
I want you to take me to a place where old people meet, I told her suddenly. Surprise. My driver joined in discussing where that would be. Yes, they had it..a place where elder, retired men get together and played mahjong. Off we went.
I returned to my hotel at 1700 hrs. My tour for the day. Worth every penny and more. Then a quick wash and change. Let's sit down at a local street cafe and have dinner..all 3 of us. The blast we had.
My kind of tour. My kind of holiday. The kind of experience I crave.
Early next morning Janet was waiting for me in the hotel lobby. A very pleasant young girl; speaking very good English. We have a very busy schedule today, she said. And there followed a list of things we had to see and do, as she read out from her iPad.
I paused. Come, I said, let's have coffee first ( I had already had a heavy breakfast ). But we shall be late for the local market and then.., I cut her short. So what?
You will miss to see it, she replied. You have paid for it as part of the tour, she added.
Janet, what I have paid for is a suggested itinerary and a private guide and car. What we do and don't do
is at my discretion, not yours or the company's. My responsibility. My money, my choice.
She was uneasy..the office would call to find how the tour was going. I shall talk to Carol, I said; my program director in China. Janet relaxed. We had coffee together, croissant and a lot of talk. Her job, education,family etc. It was 1030.
I want you to take me to a place where old people meet, I told her suddenly. Surprise. My driver joined in discussing where that would be. Yes, they had it..a place where elder, retired men get together and played mahjong. Off we went.
I returned to my hotel at 1700 hrs. My tour for the day. Worth every penny and more. Then a quick wash and change. Let's sit down at a local street cafe and have dinner..all 3 of us. The blast we had.
My kind of tour. My kind of holiday. The kind of experience I crave.
Andy brown
Well-known member
Fahim,
Great series this.
Lovely story today and a very fine portrait.
Great series this.
Lovely story today and a very fine portrait.
Antonio Correia
Well-known member
Asher Kelman
OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
I had landed in Kunming, Yunnan Province. A city preferred by those in the know as the most livable city in China. I was met at the gate by my guide, Janet ( her English name ). Straight to the hotel, for a night's rest.
Early next morning Janet was waiting for me in the hotel lobby. A very pleasant young girl; speaking very good English. We have a very busy schedule today, she said. And there followed a list of things we had to see and do, as she read out from her iPad.
I paused. Come, I said, let's have coffee first ( I had already had a heavy breakfast ). But we shall be late for the local market and then.., I cut her short. So what?
You will miss to see it, she replied. You have paid for it as part of the tour, she added.
Janet, what I have paid for is a suggested itinerary and a private guide and car. What we do and don't do
is at my discretion, not yours or the company's. My responsibility. My money, my choice.
She was uneasy..the office would call to find how the tour was going. I shall talk to Carol, I said; my program director in China. Janet relaxed. We had coffee together, croissant and a lot of talk. Her job, education,family etc. It was 1030.
I want you to take me to a place where old people meet, I told her suddenly. Surprise. My driver joined in discussing where that would be. Yes, they had it..a place where elder, retired men get together and played mahjong. Off we went.
I returned to my hotel at 1700 hrs. My tour for the day. Worth every penny and more. Then a quick wash and change. Let's sit down at a local street cafe and have dinner..all 3 of us. The blast we had.
My kind of tour. My kind of holiday. The kind of experience I crave.
This, my friend, is the critical part of penetrating the veil of artificiality inherent in taking organized tours. Sometimes, a tour guide can so intensely involved with the history and spiel that it works well to get a swathe of history into one's brain and remove oneself from one's mother culture and be embedded in different eras as if in a long movie....but with food breaks.
However, intense tours with a guide cannot be one's only interface with the society.
Your approach must have shocked the tour guide to the core! But in one stroke, you established a rapport with her and a mode of access to real everyday people, otherwise too removed from your purview. This is a great example of one of your "tools" to enter and sample, albeit briefly, the humanity beneath the external "decorations" and commercial exploitation assembled for the tourist.
Kudos!
I think this is, perhaps, the beginning of looking at this subject as the "seed" of a "Guide to sampling life despite arriving as a tourist".
Asher
Cem_Usakligil
Well-known member
Hi Fahim,
This is an incredibly powerful portrait, one of your best imo. Wonderful.
My kind of tour. My kind of holiday. The kind of experience I crave.
Charlotte Thompson
Well-known member
Fahim
I've got to say I agree with Cem! Fantastic portrait.. China must have been super inspiring..
Charlotte-
I've got to say I agree with Cem! Fantastic portrait.. China must have been super inspiring..
Charlotte-
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Andy, Antonio, Cem, Asher, Charlotte..
Thank you all for your generous comments. I feel gooood!!
Our very best to you all.
Thank you all for your generous comments. I feel gooood!!
Our very best to you all.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
China and its various art forms are recognized and celebrated around the world.
I was lucky enough to witness a master at his work. In the field of embroidery. An highly intricate, wonderfully beautiful art form, passed on father/mother to son from generations long long gone.
This is art of the highest order. The master's work, say around postcard size, can easily fetch upwards of
U.S S3000.00. Wall hangings take years to make. The cost is enormous. I was offered a super A4 size
for around U.S $ 6000.00. I am retired, so I reluctantly had to refuse.
First an image...
I tried my best to capture the very minute detail, but it might be too clear in the image.
At the bottom of the image, on the lower right you see the silk thread from the cocoon.
The interns progress slowly, learning the art. The newest learners, are given the relatively thick silk thread to start their painstaking embroidery by hand. As one learns the art, one progresses to the next level...weaving a thinner strand of silk from the thread.
The girl demonstrating the art form to me has a small vertical cut in her left hand nail. She is a teacher.
She is qualified to use a strand of silk that is just tight enough to pass through the vertical split in her nail.
The original silk composite is made up of approximately between 260-270 thin silk strands.
The master is the only one entitled and qualified enough to use the thinnest strand of this silk. Thread by thread, color by color, design by design, painstakingly the master creates his masterpiece.
Art, skill, dexterity, composition of colors and shapes, their placements reflect the thousands of years of that this Chinese craftsmanship has been handed down; from a generation to the next.
I was lucky enough to witness a master at his work. In the field of embroidery. An highly intricate, wonderfully beautiful art form, passed on father/mother to son from generations long long gone.
This is art of the highest order. The master's work, say around postcard size, can easily fetch upwards of
U.S S3000.00. Wall hangings take years to make. The cost is enormous. I was offered a super A4 size
for around U.S $ 6000.00. I am retired, so I reluctantly had to refuse.
First an image...
I tried my best to capture the very minute detail, but it might be too clear in the image.
At the bottom of the image, on the lower right you see the silk thread from the cocoon.
The interns progress slowly, learning the art. The newest learners, are given the relatively thick silk thread to start their painstaking embroidery by hand. As one learns the art, one progresses to the next level...weaving a thinner strand of silk from the thread.
The girl demonstrating the art form to me has a small vertical cut in her left hand nail. She is a teacher.
She is qualified to use a strand of silk that is just tight enough to pass through the vertical split in her nail.
The original silk composite is made up of approximately between 260-270 thin silk strands.
The master is the only one entitled and qualified enough to use the thinnest strand of this silk. Thread by thread, color by color, design by design, painstakingly the master creates his masterpiece.
Art, skill, dexterity, composition of colors and shapes, their placements reflect the thousands of years of that this Chinese craftsmanship has been handed down; from a generation to the next.
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Another one from Chinatown, PRC...
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
Previously I had asked my guide, what was the English for the below sign..
Since no one offered an answer, let me give it to you..
No!, Let me show it to you..much simpler that way..
Since no one offered an answer, let me give it to you..
No!, Let me show it to you..much simpler that way..
fahim mohammed
Well-known member
A little girl from the Naxi ethnic minority...
