[Leica] IMGS: A visit to "Ancient Village", Guangdong Province, China

[Adam Bridge]

We were touring through parts of China that didn’t often get caucasians. A few places some of the glances seemed at least suspicious verging on hostile. The more rural a location the more likely this was. But it was rare. Mostly we were interesting scenery.

But our experience, and our hosts agree, that China is rude. I didn’t learn the word for “thank you” because it wasn’t used and certainly wasn’t expected. The theory given by locals is that the Cultural Revolution’s inversion of class essentially wiped out the upper echelon’s idea of manners. This may be painting with a rather broad brush but I’m inclined to believe our experience was far from unique.

If you want polite, our friends all tell us, go to Thailand. It’s on our list.

Adam

> On 2018 May 11, at 8:54 AM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols at lighttube.net> wrote:
> 
> Great images, Adam.  That looks like a very friendly culture.
> 
> Jim Nichols
> Tullahoma, TN USA
> 
> On 5/11/2018 10:45 AM, Adam Bridge via LUG wrote:
>> Our recent trip to China took us to Huangyao Ancient Town. I highly recommend a visit. The town is surrounded by towering karst formations giving an almost surreal feel. As I walked in the early morning I could almost believe I was in the time of emperors.
>> 
>> I awoke early and walked through the streets before the crowds began to show up.
>> 
>> This mom had just finished nursing her little one and was chatting with a friend before starting the work day:
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-hZV8qpd/A>
>> 
>> 
>> And this little fellow was intent on watching the art of dragon mask repair over (possibly) his grandmother’s shoulder:
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-JQhkFxT/A>
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-B7J4BLK>
>> 
>> 
>> A photo shoot, possibly for an upcoming wedding, was taking place on an 800 year-old bridge:
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-ChRdFrD/A>
>> 
>> 
>> Two school girls on their way to school. They stopped off for noodles on the way:
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-wq7ZDsg/A>
>> 
>> 
>> Small shrines were located all around the village. Various villagers, almost exclusively women, lit them:
>> 
>> <https://adam-bridge.smugmug.com/Travel/2018-China-Adams-Cut/i-wq7ZDsg/A>
>> 
>> I gather that the reach of the Cultural Revolution was not as strong in the south as it was closer to Beijing. Religion was, and remains, stronger in this part of China.
>> 
>> We seemed to be the only obvious foreigners. I was invited to be included into group photographs. Clearly this was NOT because of any compelling photographic beauty on my part.
>> 
>> Thanks for looking. Comments/suggestions most welcome.
>> 
>> Oh, photographic details: Sony A7Riii with 70-200 F4 G OSS lens.
>> 
>> Adam Bridge
>> 
>> 
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