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Friday, March 31, 2017

A Few More Details About the Photos Taken for the Guangzhou Twos

In the recent series of posts with the theme "Two Guangzhou [X]" I deliberately provided little context for each of the photos. I have posted photos in a similar format before before but not so many in a row. Initially, I had planned to conclude the series with a post exploring how additional context of one type or another could make an impact for better or worse in each case and then consider some broader issues. Since the process has happily caused me to think about many things and the series went on longer than expected, I would like to hold off on that post and possibly do it in pieces in the future. But I don't want to leave things completely hanging right now, so I will share a few very informal thoughts about each of the posts. They capture, sometimes indirectly, a tiny bit of what I had in mind and also offer a little more . . . context.

1. "Two Guangzhou Roses" — My attention was first drawn to the graffiti due a friend who I thought would appreciate the art, even though the artist unlikely had her name in mind. I usually wouldn't consider that context important to share here though. Instead, I wondered how I could best express the environment in which they were set and the degree to which graffiti is common there.

2. "Two Electric Toys for Sale Outside in Guangzhou" — While I mentioned the locations where the photos were taken I left unmentioned that both of the small lanes are just off of a popular pedestrian street. Does that added piece of information matter? Well, depends . . .

3. "Two Guangzhou Cokes" — This time I offered no details on the locations. Both photos were taken in the same neighborhood though. While the eateries themselves were common for the area, the I hadn't seen many similar examples of the advertising nearby.

4. "Two Guangzhou Eateries" — Both examples here are in the same general part of the city along with all of the examples in the previous posts. The main items — rice noodle rolls and congee — at both restaurants are traditional Cantonese foods, and both places are favorites of locals.

5. "Two Guangzhou Law Firms" — Now we are in a different part of Guangzhou. Although I saw both examples during a single rather long walk, they aren't very near each other. The locations may seem less relevant here for what caught my eye — the contrasting styles of the signs — but they may play an important role.

6. "Two Guangzhou Samples of Text" — Some relevant context for this post could be that this was far from the first time I have seen sample text left on signs or clothing. I did mention that I had seen both in the same day, though people could read different implications into that. Also, it could be worth mentioning that the shirt was for sale at a somewhat-pedestrian street targeting younger people. More about that street another day.

7. "Two Guangzhou Trains" — Since the two photos were taken from different vantage points, some people may not realize they both capture the same railroad crossing. More easy to spot, the photos included different trains. One is of the high-speed variety and the other is not. This was all pure luck. I was making my way to one part of the city and knew I would need to cross the railroad tracks at some point. And of course the way I chose was temporarily blocked when I got there. The delay was worth it.

8. "Two Guangzhou Garbage Bins on the Go" — This last post only included a single photo since there was no need for a second. Just yesterday I saw a similar vehicle towing far more than two garbage bins. Unfortunately it disappeared before I could photograph it.

OK, that is all for now. Maybe this answers some questions. Hopefully this raises some questions.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Two Guangzhou Garbage Bins on the Go

"City Cleaning" pulling two garbage bins with a three-wheeled motorized vehicle


And this probably concludes the recent series of "two" posts. As mentioned before, a post connecting them is on the way.

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Two Guangzhou Samples of Text

Both seen today . . .

shirt with an image and the words "SAMPLE TEXT — FOR YOUR TEXT HERE"



advertisement including the text "Sample your text"


I have in mind a point connecting all of the posts since last week beyond the simple "Two Guangzhou [X]" theme. After at least one more two I will try to make it.

Friday, March 17, 2017

A Small Boat in Guangzhou

That feeling when you would like to borrow something for a short time . . .

empty small boat floating on the water and tied to a post

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

A Fury-Tailed Bike Rider in Guangzhou

Tonight near Liwan Lake Park in Guangzhou, people excitedly pointed at an animal riding in a bike basket. A dog or a cat wouldn't usually cause such a strong reaction. But this was something truly unexpected — a squirrel.

Bicycle-riding squirrel wearing a shirt in Guangzhou, China


Unlike in the U.S., I very rarely see urban squirrels in China despite having visited more than a hundred city parks. I would almost have been as surprised to see a squirrel in the nearby park as to see one wearing a shirt in the U.S. Wild squirrels do exist in China though. And thanks to humans they sometimes gain too much weight.

So I could personally appreciate the amazement. This was the first time anywhere I petted a bike-riding squirrel wearing a shirt.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Underneath the Donghaoyong Elevated Road in Guangzhou

Over the years I have posted photos of scenes underneath bridges in cities such as Hengyang, Shenyang, Taiyuan, and Zhanjiang. Today I will share two photos taken yesterday underneath the double-decker Donghaoyong Elevated Road where it crosses over Donghua West Road in Guangzhou. The first photo looks roughly to the north and the second roughly to the south.

I took the photos in part because of the mix of concrete, lush greenery, and water in the two scenes. And in this part of the city, the elevated road takes a twisting path as it follows a watercourse. Due to the water, I was also standing on a bridge at the time.

Some may feel the highway ruins things, but perhaps more would have been ruined had it taken a direct route instead. At least putting the road up high keeps things more peaceful and green down below where one can take a pleasant walk past large leaves and columns.


view from Donghua West Road facing northward under the Donghaoyong Elevated Road (东濠涌高架路)



view from Donghua West Road facing southward under the Donghaoyong Elevated Road (东濠涌高架路)