The Ancient Abandoned City

The Magestic Dunes

kid-os and the bamboo man

over the course of the week we really got to know the villagers and the children in particular. they are cheerful, curious and a true delight: always smiling, watching and it is like being in the presence of something magical. We fell in love every day and it was always a challenge to not eat them up. They were dedicated workers even as young as one or two.

GanHiZi, a village in Yunnan

The Village rests on the far side of a mountain. The nearest road stops in a local township where we stayed in a rugged "guest house." In the mornings after breakfast we would hike over the mountain to the village where we would work with the villagers , play and eat in rapid succession.
The people of the village are ethnic Miao people. They are one of China's largest ethnic minority groups and populate large parts of Southern China. The women wear their hair up in the traditional fashion once they have children. The men wear suit coats for all manner of work: digging, farming, basketball and eating. even some of the younger boys wear them. It is an ironic image to see a muddy man with pick ax wearing a ragged tailored suit.

the villagers

Mountains, corn and sky; Oh my!

We worked on various projects: digging a foundation, picking and shucking corn, cooking, and then befriending the village and getting schooled on the Basketball court. The students worked with total dedication, played with enthusiasm and loved completely. I was so pleased with the work they did, the attitude they brought, the patience they showed with the projects and each other...; they were truly amazing. I presented regular challenges and to every one they approached each completely. I have not remembered being so impressed in a while.
The land we were working in spread out in front of us, below us and above us constantly inspiring awe. The air was fresh, a welcome alternative to Shanghai's din and suffocating heat and tangible air.

the tiny moments in a day