Pretty protection
Shanghai, China, May 2007 [Click to enlarge]
The scene: We're on our way back to the hotel late in the afternoon after a richly fulfilling walk through Shanghai. We've seen and experienced so much of this fascinating place, and we're tired, hot and hungry. The hotel looms in the humid afternoon sun as we slowly walk toward the pedestrian mall that will bring us back to our home away from home.
As a young woman with a pink umbrella walks past us, I realize I've seen a lot of them on this day. The subtropical sun can be brutal, and residents here use umbrellas more for sun than for rain.
I reach quickly for the Nikon and shoot before she disappears into the crowd. Another moment from a city that seems to offer them up with relentless frequency.
Your turn: Who is she? Where's she headed? What's her story? Have fun with it...
She is on her way to the photographer, to get her wedding portrait made. She is holding the umbrella so she won't get a "farmer" tan!
ReplyDeleteYet another slant on your visit to Shanghai showing more of the everyday life. It really does give a snap shot into their world so thanks for taking such great pics :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comment about my mother. It was much appreciated. I am hoping we will get more positive news soon.
Also thanks for picking me as winner of you contest. Little things like that really brighten my day and make me smile :)
Carmi, you inspire me to use my camera more - to snap the shot of every day things that I may not think twice about.
ReplyDeleteBubblehead is going to China and Hong Kong for 3 weeks in June on business. He is so excited!! Any tips?
The umbrella-in-the-sun phenomenon is quite one of its kind in Asia. In Hong Kong, I usually take the elevated pedestrian walk that is meant to mitigate ground traffic. Then I'll sidle over to the side, perch over the rail, and find a mottled painting down under on the streets. Dots of different colors and patterns stipple the the street market, invading the vendors--the dots are umbrellas shielding the the scorching sun.
ReplyDeleteVery intimate observation. :)
Carmi,
ReplyDeleteI don't have any idea who she is, but this is a beautiful picture.
Beautiful.
JC
Her name... is Melinda. She's on an Artist's Way date with herself. She plans to visit a toy shop and buy a bag full of dime store toys and write about them in her journal as she sips a cool beverage at an outdoor cafe. Afterwards, she will share her toys with the children she meets in the park, before returning to her flat to take a long hot bath with candles to samba music. Just because she can.
ReplyDeleteWith the pink umbrella and green ruffle edged tank, she definitely has the preppy look going. So I am sure she is on her way to a fabulous lunch with girlfriends....lunch will turn into happy hour if she stays long enough. Then she will have a little glass of wine, because preppy girls don't drink beer.
ReplyDeleteisnt that brolly sweet!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWith the umbrella...I would think she is in London....except she is in Shanghai and there is NO rain in the image! :)
ReplyDeleteGoing to meet girlfriends for sushi and saki? I love the shot...her pink umbrella.
ReplyDelete