more than numbers
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Two zero zero eight.
It’s the year of the Olympics alright. Most radio and TV stations have been broadcasting a daily countdown for the last couple of months now: “just a friendly reminder: the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games are XXX days ahead!”
One thing is for sure though – China would always win gold when it comes to fireworks:
Seriously, anything I’ve seen in Europe or the States is child-play against this madness. And New Year’s Eve isn’t even a prime time of fireworks over here.
I took a leisure day and a walk around Wang Family Courtyard 王家大院, another merchant’s private estate from Qing-dynasty, much like Chang Family Mansion (sheepolution) and Qiao Family Courtyard (camel #4).
This time I did something different though: I paid extra money and hired a guide, which proved to be a very good idea. There are so many details to be missed out on otherwise:
After the downfall of the Wang-family and the proclamation of the People’s Republic, farmers had been living on these premises up until the mid-nineties.
They had been using the very same buildings and furniture passed on from centuries ago:
Several families would share a courtyard as if it was just a regular settlement.
…only much more beautiful and refined:
From what my guide told me, the remaining parts of Wang Family Courtyard are only about 25% of the original size.
To me, two things still remain unimaginable:
1) the amount of destruction that all these places have suffered.
2) the massive size and and the awe-abiding grace and tastefulness of these architectural monuments.
I stayed for a long time:
Looks pretty, doesn’t it.
This is not about photography; finding an angle, pressing a few buttons.
Really, the beauty is all there in that breath-taking moment:
…
One thing I often get over here is: “Germany? Good! Strong economy!”
But there are just some things money can’t buy.
TTL
雷克加油~~
新年快乐
John
ahhhh, beautiful moment there! photography is all about the moment, for sure, and that one looks like a book cover! well done!! and thank you for sharing all these great images with us!
David lee
I just heard from your friend(Marcal,I am not sure his name,he is in danmare now,a tall and handsome guy,always wear hat, if you play warcraft, he is just like deadking, if he has a white hair 🙂 about your GREAT PROJECt, I am a chinese student, I will pay attention about you everyday if I have time, and I will told my friends about your footprint.
take care buddy, and follow though
Christoph
TTL: 你也是啊，talking!
John: There's a proverb in Chinese, it goes 班门弄斧 – "messing with the axe in front of Master Ban's house". Master Ban was a carpenter with such legendary skills that once a wooden bird even took off to fly – or so the saying goes. Anyways this proverb reminds me I shouldn't brag about my mediocre skills in front of more talented and experienced guys like you, John!
David lee: I have a friend who looks like a character called "deadking" – really? Hahaha, that's hilarious! Anyways, thanks for your support, David!
Freya
我去年有去过王家大院，过年的时候，气氛特别好！！
其实王家大院和乔家大院对比起来非常有意思！！
王家是做官的，有种“万般皆下品，唯有读书高”的感觉。有很多小的雕塑，都在寓意“封侯挂印”（猴子和蜂巢的石雕），“鲤鱼跳龙门”。
而乔家是做生意的，雕塑会让人觉得lack of taste，但其实是另外一种寓意或者追求。房屋的入口会有葡萄藤的浮雕，寓意“多子多福”。有的房间墙壁的厚度超过一米，象征着殷实的家底。
嗬嗬，你的中文应该非常不错的吧~~~
Christoph
好像你还蛮了解哈！
我到不懂这些，不过我也觉得王家总要比乔家有意思！只是乔家因为在那拍了一些电影所以比较有名，对吧？
那你有没有去过常家庄园？好大！也很有意思！
Freya
哦哦哦，哈哈，放假回西安的时候可以去看一下。不过是因为看了《乔家大院》那本书才很喜欢那个地方的。
Christoph
噢，对，他们好像也拍过电视剧，你看过吗？怎么样？
Meagan
Absolutely beautiful photographs. They’re quite breathtaking. And the architecture is gorgeous! Such fine detail and so smooth!! I can only imagine how awe-inspiring they are to see in person.