One of the first things Chelsea noticed when she arrived in China in the heart of winter was the lack of color which was a striking difference from growing up in Provence.
When she called home that first week she said she felt like she was living in a video game. The area where she lived was on a new massive campus: Tall buildings, no trees, constant grey sky and nobody was around except the foriegn students (due to the Chinese new year holidays).
Video game landscape was the best way to describe the lack of color, and the maze of streets like dot to dots connecting the sky scrapers.
Season changes… and winter is far behind. The colors of China have come forth after months under a grey sky. Color are blooming, coats are taken off and a new life emerges.
The river reflects the colors bursting forth.
Young people dress up in traditional costumes in the old part of the city, along the scenic Suzhou river, to have their photos taken. The color red dominates. Red dresses, and umbrellas appear like Provencal red poppies in May.
As if the moment was not vibrant enough, a woman in a purple silk jacket sang as she guided the boat down the river.
A man at the Insect and Bird Market, with a black beret, and the most lovely royal blue spotted jacket, offered tea to those who were buying and selling insects and birds.
I saw crickets in the most eleborated boxes being sold for the price of a string of pearls.
A cricket.
Toss the two in the air and I would grab the pearls instead.
Though after watching the serious excitment and passion of these fellows I began to think:
"How much am I missing out in this wide world of wonder?"
Crickets must be doing something attractive, must allure, stir a deep feeling within to create such passionate price and bartering… reminds me of the brocante.
Part of a painted ceiling I would have missed if I didn't look up while walking in one of the many tea gardens. After that I was tripping over myself.
China as Chelsea has come to know it is rapidly changing and not just because of the spring season.
Fortunately, within the cities their are pockets of classic old beauty: Black tiled pointed roof tops, painted rafters, gardens, teahouses, neighborhoods were the daily life is picturesque… for those willing to look for it.
I asked a young Chinese man what he thought of the skyscrapers taking over, and the demolishing of old neighborhoods because of it… He said, "Our goverment is making our lives better. We are growing towards our future. Old areas make way for new developments that will bring us better lives, giving our children new possiblities. When an old neighborhood changes the goverment gives those families new homes, better and bigger. I am hoping my neighborhood will change. Our home is small. I live with my family, and when I marry I will bring my wife to live with us. A woman leaves her family and lives with the man's family. Hopefully, if our neighborhood changes we will have a new bigger home, and room for me to marry.
Then with thoughfulness in his eyes he added, "Living together as a family is our ultimate happiness." For this young man and many, a bigger home means provided space for a family to grow (meaning a room for the future new couple.)
I didn't ask anymore questions, or challenge his opinion… instead I looked at the thoughtfulness in his eyes and what he believed to be true.
Chelsea and I will take photos of what we both see starting tomorrow. What we would like to know is there any particular themes you would like us to use. If you have any suggestion for us we will try to carry them through in our photography adventure.
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