Tuesday, July 27, 2010

black and white Wednesday ~ China on my mind

You know, China is always with me...and in my thoughts often.
 Right now I'm reminded of it because this is the time of year we traveled for both of our adoptions.
We were there in very late August - early Sept. of 2003 and late July of 2008.
 For Black and White Wednesday,
 I decided to choose pictures from both trips and write some of my impressions
about this country that means so much to me.


China 13
Summers are hot and extremely humid.
Grace was born in Jiangxi Province and it's known as 'the oven of China.'
I couldn't agree more. :)

China 14
China's culture is one of old ways intersecting with modern or new ways.
Cities with so many cars, trucks, bikes, motorcycles and buses all traveling somewhere.
And crazy drivers.
China 12
(Pudong District skyline on Huangpu River in Shanghai)

It is huge modern cities, like Beijing,
Shanghai and Guangzhou with so much new construction and cranes building high rise buildings.
It is opulent wealth and abject poverty.

(Boats on the Yangtze River)
China 4

It is the famous Yellow and Yangtze Rivers.
It is a countryside so beautiful and lush with mountains like
I've never seen anywhere.

(Tengwang Pavillion, Nanchang)
China 2
It is tea and it's beautiful ceremony.
It is delicious food and some exotic,
unusual delicacies that I was a little afraid to try.
(Though my husband did)

China 10
(Green walkway to pagoda in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province)


It is noisy, congested streets,
and the serenity and peace of a nearby temple or one of it's beautiful parks.
It is colorful art and clothing, beautiful music and architecture.
It is the color of red...and it's everywhere.

China 11

It is an old pagoda next to a new skyscraper.

China 9

It is bikes...many bikes.
China 3

It is shopping and stores,
many Western ones like Walmart and others.
It is huge signs and advertising everywhere.
It is bartering to buy something wonderful.

(Fuzhou City, Fujian Province)
China 8

It is the lion,
the dragon and the phoenix.
It is Buddha.


China 7
It is many, many people.
It is family... Moms and Dads with children, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Brothers and Sisters.
It is minimal personal space when you are out in a bus or public place.
Sometimes people stare because they are curious about where you are from.

China 6

It is thousands of years of history and tradition colliding
 with a new China wanting to be accepted and part of this world.

(Shamian Island, Guangzhou)
China 5

And finally this rich,
vibrant country of China is the birth place of my two youngest children.
I thank God and China every day for this gift.
 One I can never repay other than to honor their birth place and people.
I tell my children I'm Chinese too, because my heart is.


And I can't wait to return someday.

the long road

It's Wednesday, so hop on over to The Long Road to China to see many more black and white pictures...

33 kind words:

Jill said...

Wow Gail! The pics in this post left me breathless and tearful. After being in Guangzhou and Nanchang, it brought back so many memories. Beautiful as always my friend!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! There all so fabulous!

Have a wonderful Wednesday Gail!

Mom2Isabel said...

I recognize the Teng Wan Pavilion in Nanchang. (My daughter is also from Jiangxi.) The first two pictures are just stunning. The last one made me nostalgic. It's on Shamian Island, isn't is?

Life with JJ, Starr and Spice said...

Love your China pictures and they are awesome in Black and White.

I also love that you tell your Children that you are Chinese too because your heart is!! I feel the same exact way!

Unknown said...

These are amazing, I love seeing photos from other countries, so interesting!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful pictures. The texture is amazing as is the country. Beautiful memories to go with the pictures. Thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

I LOVE LOVE the first shot! amazing!

Raymonde said...

Beautiful photos and heart rendering writing. I am almost in tears over here.

You are a precious Mum.
Take care. xxx

Anonymous said...

These are fantastic photos along with the writing with it.

fleur de lis cottage said...

Love these images and the memories they bring back...makes me want to go back!

Love Letters To China said...

Gail these are beautiful! I feel as if I was there with you. Thank you for sharing such heartfelt memories about your children's birth place. I look forward to visiting my little one's birthplace one day and will take as many photos to cherish as you did. I'm sure you will return one day... :-)

Rebecca said...

oh i just love all of these and the stories that go with them. You dont even really need the words, because the pictures speak volumes

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

When I saw the title on the blog reader I was excited to see. You definitely haven't disappointed me. This post made me feel I was there. I went back and forth on the pictures a few times. Stunning Gail, just stunning.

Lea
xo

redmaryjanes said...

Just beautiful.

Erika B said...

What a beautiful post! We have our hearts very much in China too with our oldest being born in Jiangxi and our youngest in Shaanxi. Beautiful photos from both provinces.

Erika B

Debbie said...

Gail, these pictures are fabulous and I enjoyed your descriptions of them. You made me want to go see them :)

Kim said...

Awesome photos Gail! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. A part of my heart was left in China.

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Wow! Gail these pictures coupled with your words and the music made me cry. I have "kicked" myself so many times for not really looking at and soaking in China as much as I should've while I was there. I was overwhelmed and missed out on so much. That is the unsolicited advice I give to every person going to China to bring home their child. SOAK it in--the sights, the sounds, the beauty, the shocking...You think you'll remember but the memories will fade...

Thanks for taking me there again.

Love you~
Lisa

Wanda said...

What great images Gail - stunning in black and white too!

You've brought back so many memories for me. Unforgettable ones! This is a great tribute to the country that blessed us with our beautiful children.

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo

Unknown said...

These pictures are wonderful and I LOVE them in black and white. I especially love the hanging clothes. So pretty! What a great entry this week! Thank you!

Shonni said...

Those are all so wonderful...I love them and the feelings that are captured!

patty said...

i have only recently linked w B&W wed, and i have not adopted, but your post is wonderful, and i'm sure touches many of those who have adopted from china. your photos are amazing-i really enjoyed.

have you read The Red Thread? i think you might like...

www.amazon.com/Red-Thread-Novel-Ann-Hood/dp/0393070204

www.pattysblackandwhitephotography.blogspot.com

The OriginalPsyn said...

What beautiful shots! You really capture the feel. You made me want to visit.

Jboo said...

Wow -- beautiful Gail! You really captured it in your photos and your words! It's an amazing place and we want to go back someday too! Thanks for sharing!

Janet

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

These are just STUNNING!!! Beautiful black and whites.......such a timeless feel to each and every one.

Reading this post and seeing the beauty is making me very excited to get on that plane...... not to mention that there is a very special little one waiting for me:)

Have a wonderful week~


xo,

Lisa

Karen said...

Perfectly captured-both in photo and words~ thanks for this, Gail- brought back so many wonderful memories!

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

Do love all the photos... I must agree... I too have China on my mind... from time to time the place pops back into my mind... gorgeous...

Denise said...

These are amazing Gail! I wish that I knew what I was doing with my camera while I was in China!

Casey said...

The oven of China!! So true!! Em was born there too!! Great pictures!!

ellieshine said...

Oh my Gail!! This is so beautiful - I looked at every photo and read through but I am going to make a fresh pot of coffee and sit down and enjoy this post again (and again!).

Thank for sharing your gorgeous photos!! you are so gifted!

Kayce said...

Stunning, stunning pictures Gail. My longing to go back just went into hyper-drive. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

The pictures look amazing. Makes me feel as if I am there. Cute blog!

 
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