Firstly, what is a photo essay?
A series of photographs that conveys a story, usually accompanied by a written text and published as a book or special feature in a periodical. Quoted from http://www.answers.com/topic/photo-essay.
The second day we were in China. We were shocked to see the state of the school, Wuhan University of Science and Technology. Thankfully for us, our school was the new campus. We were greeted by a great infrastructure of the school and it was greater than our school, of course. This was the day when we were touring the school, cameras were at our hand and we were snapping pictures for memories and some already planning for this photo essay.
This is when we were at Yellow Crane Tower. Being Singaporeans and foreigners, it was quite a sight for us as majority of the people touring this place were not foreigners but the locals themselves. In my opinion, I would feel weird touring my own country. I was curious to find out why were there a lot of locals there so I asked a group of locals who were in their early twenties. According to them, they have never been there before and I asked why. They said they were from a different part of China so coming to Wuhan, partly in mind to come to this place and the other tourist attractions so I categorised them as foreigners. Oh, and they were speaking in Chinese so I had my friends become my translators for the day.
This was our tour for the day when we were going to visit a museum. I see her so hardworking and very knowledgeable about all the places we had went. There was a slight change of plans that day. We were supposed to go to the museum but we had arrived early and the museum had not yet opened. So the tour guide suggested going to this park where this picture was taken and even so, she was still knowledgeable even though this place was not part of the plan. Impressive I must say, or is it just their line of work; a tour guide must be full of knowledge of such places. I am not sure but no matter what, I have a good impression of her.
I must say, the locals do have a way around. What I really meant was that, our tour guide was supposed to do a tour on the museum for us, but the locals just pushed their way around and it seems that our tour and became their tour. I have a bad impression of these people.
Does this look familiar? A tour going on, I saw a tour guide holding a flag. Then a group of people, who are locals by the way, wearing all the same caps and following the tour guide. Isn’t a tour supposed to be for foreigners? Well, they certainly changed that concept in me; tours are meant for both foreigners and locals, and I think, this only applies to big countries like China.
Art. That’s a word that brings all ages of people, be it the young, adult or old people. Everyone appreciates art and it is something that brings us all together.
Aren’t they all adorable? This was taken in a shopping mall. It was an event to celebrate women’s day. But in here, the even have yet started so the small adorable go wild and enjoy their short lived fame.
Many things happen in a shopping mall. See the small child pointed out by yellow arrows. You would not believe what he is doing. The mother is asking the child to pee there in the open in a shopping mall. For a Singaporean, it was shocking to see such behaviour going on. A culture shock indeed. Oh, and the woman pointed out by red arrows. She saw me taking a picture of them yet there was no reaction from her or even any attempts to cover up the child. Goodness me.
A sport enjoyed by almost everyone. I didn’t think that in a shopping mall there would be a pool or snooker area. Well, there is but I was shocked by its condition. It was an air conditioned area but there are people smoking and the place was not even ventilated. In my opinion, it was very rude for these people to smoke in these places. Maybe for them it’s normal, but for us Singaporeans, if it’s done in Singapore, you would firstly be slapped with a fine and given disgust looks by Singaporeans.
See those people pointed out by arrows. They were all wrapped in winter clothes, sweaters with hood, turtlenecks and thick sweater and they are all exercising, running. I was surprised and curious, don’t they feel hot at all as you can see, and there was a bright sun. Proof, the shadows by the girls. The same thing also happens with the guys here.
I am proud with our group.
See the determined faces of our group, the ones in black; especially Christopher who was trying to block an attack from the locals in a friendly match against Ngee Ann Polytechnic and WUST. I am proud to say that Ngee Ann Polytechnic won.
The interaction with WUST and Ngee Ann Poly. The relationship between us shall go a long way.
The sight of hungry Ngee Ann Poly students. Food brings us all together in one room.
People bargaining with shop owners, some even slashes the prices to half the original price. Impressive and fierce these people yet the shop owners had placed their stand and refuse to accept any bargains. We were told the things sold there actually were overpriced so no one bought from that shop.
Our tour guide for a boat trip. She speaks non-stop and even tries to sell things while on the boat. The things people would do to make a living.
Our boats which we take were rowed by them. This is what they do for a living, bringing people around the area on boat. A very hard labour job and they were all very muscular in my opinion.
Once again, art brings everyone together. This is when everyone gathers on the cruise ship to view the mountains. Beautiful I must say.
Interaction and bonding with the local students. One of them, Tom with the thumbs up knows English and it makes interaction easier for some of us who are non-speaking Chinese.
Everyone having fun in a gathering that was organised by the local students. I was very proud of our group who are very enthusiastic especially Mr Chua who singing a duet with a lecturer from WUST.
See the people pointed out by black arrows. They would rush out upon seeing potential customers inviting them to go in and eat at their restaurant. I would say, it was warm gesture but at time it’s scary so some of them would just run away.
We all know we learn walking when young through our parents who persistently hold our hands, teaching us to walk. However, here as you can see, they will hold you up with this belt string. Different cultures and countries have their own ways; and the baby is so cute.
See how crowded a night market is. All the things here are sold at very cheap prices yet being Singaporeans, we cut the prices to almost half. A very good bargain i must say shopping here and a wonderful experience as well.
The happy moments shared between all of us. Seeing their happy, cheerful and carefree expression makes me feel that i might actually miss this place even though there are bad moments. Good memories shall always be remembered and reminisced.
The hard work, determination and persistence put in by these students who are very determined in learning wushu and the teacher or more appropriately shifu is a determined to pass all his knowledge to these students. i am very proud of them.
I miss our tour guide. I never really did catch her name but i really do like and admire her. She was really nice and knowledgeable. I really admire her courage ever since the wudang mountains trip where we had to queue up for the cable cars and she fought for our rights by telling the China people not to cut queue. I really do like her and i am already missing her. I wanted to thank her but i had forgotten but really, if this message did get passed down to her, i want to say thank you and for making the tours very interesting. THANK YOU!
Moments shared with Mr Chua. Mr Chua, i am sure you are reading and grading my photo essay but i want to say, i am sorry if i had ever caused trouble by coming late for class or meetings but you have made this trip a memorable trip and it definitely a trip worth going twice. Thank you.
I am going to miss China. Happy moments.
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