Dear Dad,

today I had the opportunity to visit one of the garment factories in the next village over.

As I entered the building’s foyer, the rapid echo of hundreds of sewing machines bounced from the walls, leading me upstairs to the main factory floor.

The workers, the majority of them women, were all very diligent with their tasks. Even with my presence they rarely peered away from their work stations, for a lapse in concentration could spell lost productivity, or worse, injury.

I visited the upper floor to meet the factory manager and his wife. Sitting in a large sparse office we briefly spoke about the factory and the merchandise. I was informed that the jackets were bound for the European market in time for their winter.

Our conversation was interrupted as the manager and his wife turned to watch the stock market fluctuate on their computer screen.

I´m sure you will agree, this is definitely a different China to the one you left behind.

1 Comments

• At October 1, 2008, Kathleen Fisher wrote:

  Wow, this is AMAZING! What a story these picture tell. I love the wide shot of the stacks and stacks of sewing machines, fabric and women.

Dear Gran,

an hour and a half ride from the border again and I’ve made it to your home town. It’s just like how I remember it, not much has changed, except for the fact that some newer buildings have popped up around the place.

I see these crosses everywhere on the houses, our relatives explained they are painted there to ward off evil spirits.

The local temple is still in good condition and so is the house where you were born and raised.

The local markets still bustle just the same as when you were here last time…

…and the local hairdresser is where it always used to be.

Although, the poster on the wall makes me think the hairstyle fashions have changed considerably since you were a little girl.
All is well, hope the dog is being good.
L

1 Comments

• At July 19, 2008, Miss Lisa wrote:

  a note from the land of white and green apple trees...

  bring on more photos - your travels look amazing...

  love from Ozland!

Dear Mum,
we jumped on the scooters today and headed out to your hometown.

Despite no helmets for the passengers, with a confident smile the drivers ensured us a safe journey on the bumpy dirt roads and narrow alleyways.

When we arrived at our destination we met up with one of the eldest gentlemen in the village, as you had arranged. He spoke excellent Mandarin with a very clear accent.

They took me on the obligatory visit to the old town hall. Not much has changed at all, it’s still in pretty good condition and kept very well.

After leaving the hall, we backtracked to your old home. The sheer contrast of this place compared to where you live now is amazing in itself.

I burned some incense and paid my respects.

There was little to see as I wandered through the dimly lit back rooms of the house. There was some disused furniture and stacked wood with debris everywhere. A more serene view lay beyond the window of the room in which you were brought to the world.

Dear Kirb,

the family here took me out to see some entertainment, you know, just some tourist attractions…but the Chinese really love to go over the top with their theme parks!

We saw some big show of which I have no idea about the story, it was all in Mandarin with lots of ear blistering music, galloping horses and firing cannons.

Afterwards they went crazy with a light show and fake fighting, then there was more sh!t blowing up. They love their gunpowder here.

I think this meal was the only thing I understood all night.

Keep it real dude. You still wearing that beret? It must be freezing back home.
L

I crossed the border into the motherland and now I’m just staying with the family and catching up.

They showed me their apartment and the view is quite amazing. It is odd to say but amongst the seemingly endless gray skies and flocks of construction cranes, sometimes it is possible to find nice scenery.

There are many parks, some you have to pay for admission, but they are a welcomed resort from the sounds and smells of the heavy traffic.

The meals they’ve been cooking up are always delicious and just like home. Chicken or pork is often served as beef is comparatively expensive.

After lunch, my niece and her friend sang for me a Mandarin version of ‘Click Go the Shears.’ It was great to hear the traditional song from home in another language.

It’s pretty warm and humid at the moment but at night it finally cools down, so we took a stroll around the peninsula to walk off our dinner.

Hope all is well at home.

L