China
Around the World Part 3 — China
First Egypt, then India and finally the mysteries of the Orient — China
I arrive in Beijing, back then it was still a city full of bicycles and traditional grey uniforms. Lost in the past, it seems.
Tiananmen Square is an open park for the people, with the military presence in its shadows. It was not that long ago that the people were being crushed here. The haunting memories still linger.
Off to Simatai for my first visit to The Great Wall of China. Towering mountain tops are capped by The Great Wall built in the 13th century, during the Ming Dynasty. Vast rice fields are hidden in the valley far below.
I board an old Russian cargo plane and take a long flight across the whole country to the city of Urumqi. In this Northwest corner of China, my desert adventure begins.
Driving for hours and hours, through the dry barren landscape, somewhere between the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts. Finally, I come to the oasis town of Turpan. I am in the middle of the Grape Valley, surrounded by the Flaming Mountains where even older traditions still exist.
In Turpan, a parade celebrates the school sports day. It’s also market day, locals from near and far come for supplies. And for some, it’s just a place to hang around.
The Flaming landscape glows red at sunset to bring justice to its name.
I find small villages in the Grape Valley and happy children at play, surprised to see this big white foreigner. I don’t think they got many visitors back then.
I head much deeper into the Taklamakan desert to find the real desolate emptiness. A long sleepless night out in the sand as a campfire adds to this weird fantasy. Where am I, really?
Out here there are very few rest stops for fuel and a bit of food, and the only activity is playing pool, outdoors.
Crossing between these deserts again, I meet an old shepherd in a sparse forest. I imagine that this has been his life, on his own with his sheep every day. What a life, the simple life….
All images Copyright ©Albert Normandin
Travels in China. Photography by Albert Normandin on traditional film.
Egypt — Around the World Part 1
https://express.adobe.com/page/EVwh4VusguzuI/
India — Around The World Part 2:
