Choked
Shanghai, China, May 2007
It's 5:14 a.m. local time. I'm sitting in the empty restaurant/bar at the very top of my hotel, hoping that I'm not pushing things too far by being here. On my last foray up here (floor 66, if it matters), I was 'discovered' by an employee who didn't speak English, but seemed perturbed that I was even here. So while he expressed his displeasure in a language I could not understand - and presumably skittered off for reinforcements - I did some skittering of my own and ran, chicken-like, back to my room.
I'm silly that way, risking international incidents in exchange for photo ops.
This photo speaks urban in ways I couldn't even begin to describe in words. Just don't breathe in.
Your turn: If you've got an urban vision, please pop over to the launch entry for this week's Thematic Photographic and go to town. Literally.
A co-worker is from Shanghai and misses it greatly. It's funny that he ended up in small town Belleville. He once told me he likes a city that never sleeps. My other co-worker went there last year to visit his older brother who was teaching English there. He was struck by the noise..particularly the honking. What did you think?
ReplyDeleteThere can be no question of the urban-ness of this scene. And rumors are that it will get nothing but worse with China and India having 800 new coal-fired power plants on the drawing board between them.
ReplyDeleteI'd have let the guy rant and bring back his reinforcements myself. As a paying guest, assuming you didn't break into the restaurant, it's not as if you're trespassing. And the worst that can happen? Well, okay, it is another country where the customs and rules are different, but even so. If the dining room was open -- and I assume it was -- someone staying in the hotel should have access to it. It'd be a different matter if you'd just wandered in off the street, but you didn't. I'd have had to try and bluff it anyway. I guess my "American" is showing, eh?
I didn't get Shanghai, but I did get Newark, which from where I'm sitting is only less urban by virtue of size.
Thematic Photographic 67: "Urban" v.3.0 - About As Urban As It Gets
Oh, and in case I forgot to mention it, I also threw you a "bone" this morning. ;)
That is so urban. Excellent my friend :) I'm certainly glad I don't live there :)
ReplyDeleteJust wondering:
ReplyDeleteWhat do they call the fine dinnerware in China?
Nigel Throckbottom
Scheffield on Thames
P.S. have you eaten anything that could have been a pet?
Great job. I like the photo. I really like having the camera in the foreground. That's a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteI carry business cards with me. My title on the card is "Photographer Wannabe". Out here in the country people are impressed, and are curious about my work. They let me take photographs, and I think the card helps.
It may not help in an urban environment.
The risk was worth it.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent shot of the city, and as Gallow mentioned, the camera in the foreground adds to the beauty of the photo.
Agent Carmi. or double 00012:
ReplyDeleteHave you eluded the police and gotten in touch with your secret agent espionage contact.?
The Huang-Fang Duc-Fow company is your target.
They hold the key to carnival supremacy.
The super giant mega-corp. Ltd. is awaiting the plans for the new industrial whack-a-mole machine.
If you are caught, we will disavow any knowledge of your existence.
Dick Cheney
Evil Do-er
Small willied creepy bad person
Mad at everything and everyone, all the time
( It ain't easy bein' mean)
Wow! I have often heard the phrase "urban blight", but this lends a new meaning with the smog element.
ReplyDelete