12 months (or more) in the middle kingdom

cart

2012-02-12T04:21:00.001+08:00

cart, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
street vendor - afternoon, Shangqiu, Henan, China

contact details

2012-02-10T02:08:00.001+08:00

contact details, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
wall with details - narrow alley (nong tang) south of the city - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

For anyone who has been to China these small 'stickers' are very familular - they are details for electrictians, plumbers, locksmiths and so on. Every wall. every stairwell, every spare space has these and many others.

stripes

2012-02-07T17:06:00.001+08:00

stripes, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
wide "backstreet" - south of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

stacks - nong tang # 95

2012-02-06T01:01:00.001+08:00

stacks - nong tang # 95, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
stacks of cardboard and plastic - late afternoon alley (nong tang) Shangqiu, Henan, China

fixer

2012-02-01T01:48:00.001+08:00

fixer, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
shoe repair guy - "rich and joy" supermarket - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

canned pork luncheon meat - product # 01

2012-01-29T03:21:00.001+08:00

canned pork luncheon meat - product # 01, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
canned pork luncheon meat - Shangqiu, Henan, China

repair

2012-01-27T05:13:00.001+08:00

repair, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
bicycle repair "corner" - mid-afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

love - nong tang # 91

2012-01-17T05:15:00.001+08:00

love - nong tang # 91, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
alley (nong tang) near the center of the city - afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

under the weather

2012-01-13T23:54:00.001+08:00

under the weather, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
wide street - Shangqiu Normal University - night - Shangqiu, Henan, China

I've been sick for a few days, feeling better now : )

eclipse

2012-01-04T08:25:00.001+08:00

eclipse, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
arched entrance to a narrow alley (nong tang) - west of the city - evening - Shangqiu, Henan, China

new year

2011-12-31T22:49:00.001+08:00

new year, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
young girl - central Shangqiu - mid afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

travelling

2011-12-28T04:09:00.001+08:00

travelling, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
Cecilia and I (Mark Hobbs) sitting in the back of an electric tricycle - mid afternoon - central Shangqiu, Henan, China

These tricycles are a very convenient means of transport within the city - they are both comfortable and "clean", and frankly are less expensive than regular taxi's - they are both fast and safe

we stand

2011-12-19T02:02:00.001+08:00

we stand, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
row of trees - Shangqiu Normal University - Shangqiu, Henan, China

kong

2011-12-16T13:39:00.001+08:00

kong, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
valve for the water heated radiator, our bathroon - "Shangqiu Normal University" - the heating is turned on by the University around Novermber 17 - The Chinese character "kong" has been chosen as character of the year for 2011 by a state backed poll in China.
Interestingly the widespread use of "kong" by Chinese people when discussing control of the internet, media and society was not mentioned by either the Chinese media nor the Chinese Government

shoulder

2011-12-14T00:34:00.001+08:00

shoulder, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
cold and heavy rain - Cecilia and Alex, Shangqiu Normal University - mid afternoon, Shangqiu, Henan, China

drums

2011-12-11T16:02:00.001+08:00

drums, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
rusted oil cans - central Shangqiu, late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

degrade

2011-12-08T01:03:00.001+08:00

degrade, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
night - west of the city - Shangqiu - Shangqiu, Henan, China

- a new direction in photography for me - like many others whom continue to explore their and others creative urges this is a new begining - look out for both the same (square, bw, retro, portraits, streetscapes and ofcourse the usual observations) as well as new stuff that I hope will both intrigue and entertaintain you.)

frost

2011-12-07T01:44:00.001+08:00

frost, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
leaves cover the ground near our apartment - "Shangqiu Normal University" - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

endless understanding - nong tang # 78

2011-11-22T02:42:00.001+08:00

endless understanding - nong tang # 78, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
long narrow ally "nong tang" central Shangqiu - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

47.2 - self

2011-11-11T14:54:00.003+08:00

47.2 - self, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
me at (almost) 47 and two months - Shangqiu, Henan, China

objects of desire

2011-11-11T14:54:00.001+08:00

objects of desire, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
bicycle parked in a 'gate way', narrow alley (nong tang) central Beijing - mid afternoon - Beijing, China

good

2011-11-11T14:53:00.003+08:00

good, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
young 'man' - small backstreet central Beijing - mid afternoon - Beijing, China

soy

2011-11-11T14:53:00.001+08:00

soy, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
small bottles of soy milk stacked in a crate - small backstreet - central Beijing - Beijing, China

the sitters

2011-10-25T04:59:00.001+08:00

the sitters, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
two elderly women sit and chat - central Shangqiu - mid afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

me at 47

2011-10-03T03:59:00.001+08:00

me at 47, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
spinning - camera held at arms length on our balcony looking toward the city - night - Shangqiu Normal University - Shangqiu, Henan, China

after rain

2011-10-01T01:08:00.001+08:00

after rain, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
covered alley (nong tang) west of the city - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

an opening

2011-09-26T23:05:00.001+08:00

an opening, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
covered alley (nong tang) - central Shangqiu, Shangqiu, Henan, China

apologies to all my flickr friends etc - Flickr is once again blocked here in Shangqiu, Henan, China

relic - nong tang # 71

2011-09-25T01:20:00.001+08:00

relic - nong tang # 71, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
garbage - "nong tang" (alley) - central Shangqiu - mid afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

long johns

2011-09-22T02:05:00.001+08:00

long johns, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
long johns hang - small store - central Shangqiu - Shangqiu, Henan, China

flickr is still blocked in China - Any help much appreciated - I can of course upload to flickr but cannot see my images or my contacts shots

garlic paper

2011-09-09T16:35:00.001+08:00

garlic paper, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
small restaurant - west of the city - Shangqiu, Hen, China

building one

2011-09-08T01:43:00.001+08:00

building one, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
second floor - Shangqiu Normal University - Shangqiu, Henan, China

desk guard

2011-09-07T00:11:00.001+08:00

desk guard, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
late afternoon "Shangqiu Normal University", a student waits - Shangqiu, Henan, China

boy who waits

2011-09-01T00:13:00.005+08:00

boy who waits, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
waiting outside a small supermarket, west of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

when he has a bag

2011-09-01T00:13:00.003+08:00

when he has a bag, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
alley (nong tang), west of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

hidden flag

2011-09-01T00:13:00.001+08:00

hidden flag, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
alley (nong tang) central Shangqiu, Henan, China

9 10 12

2011-08-20T08:46:00.001+08:00

9 10 12, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
alley (nong tang) west of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

tower

2011-08-14T18:04:00.001+08:00

tower, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
highrise apartment building - west of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

stop - LIGHT

2011-08-13T05:21:00.001+08:00

stop - LIGHT, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
three women wait for the light to change at the gate of Shangqiu Normal University - evening - Shangqiu, Henan, China

stop - LIGHT

2011-08-13T04:59:00.001+08:00

stop - LIGHT, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
three women wait for the light to change at the gate of Shangqiu Normal University - evening - Shangqiu, Henan, China

solar

2011-08-12T01:51:00.003+08:00

solar, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
roof top solar panels - Shangqiu Normal University - Shangqiu, Henan, China

food factory

2011-08-12T01:51:00.001+08:00

food factory, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
restaurant central Shangqiu - evening - Shangqiu, Henan, China

arch

2011-08-09T03:05:00.001+08:00

arch, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
nong tang (alley) west of the city - late afternoon - Shangqiu, Henan, China

another view

2011-08-04T01:56:00.001+08:00

another view, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
from the forth floor - apartment building two "Shangqiu Normal University". Shangqiu, Henan, China - early morning

departure

2011-08-02T02:36:00.001+08:00

departure, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
Shangqiu south railway station - near the center of the city - Shangqiu, Henan, China

explosive

2011-08-02T02:35:00.001+08:00

explosive, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
mid morning somewhere between Zhuzhou and Shangqiu, Henan, China

history

2011-07-27T05:38:00.001+08:00

history, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
his story is like many Chinese of his generation, after leaving his family farm, he moved to the city, worked for several years in a clothing factory in Shenzhen, Guangdong. His girlfriend (later his wife) stayed at home, whilst he sent "money home", he visited his family when he could afford it, usually once a year during "Chinese New Year",. Later he moved back to his village to take care of his aging mother (or father) family, then after a year or two, not being satisfied with living in a suffocating village moved to another city with his family (wife and son) opened a small store in a backstreet. This is a story repeated all over China for the last 25 to 30 years. - mid afternoon central Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

This guy was more than happy to tell me his story - his shared his life in a 'matter of fact' way that frankly is both inspirational and a little frightening, he seems happy (of course) but it is always very difficult to tell with Chinese men, laughing and chatting at 'every turn' but under that jovial facade lies a sadness that has grown from years of hardship, loneliness and repression

photo: mark hobbs

freight bridge

2011-07-27T05:37:00.003+08:00

freight bridge, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
railway freight bridge - outskirts of Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

heavy rain

2011-07-27T05:37:00.001+08:00

heavy rain, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
nong tang (alley) east of th city - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

shelter # 2

2011-07-24T04:02:00.003+08:00

shelter # 2, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
caught in a heavy 'downpour' - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

train

2011-07-24T04:02:00.001+08:00

train, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
travelling to Changsha - between carriages - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

point

2011-07-24T04:01:00.001+08:00

point, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
mid-afternoon - central Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

growing

2011-07-10T09:37:00.003+08:00

growing, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
wild flowers, vacant land - "Hunan University of Technology", early morning - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
photo: mark hobbs

ZA0062

2011-07-10T09:37:00.001+08:00

ZA0062, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
a man with a number, guard outside small shopping mall central Zhuzhou - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
photo: mark hobbs

standard

2011-07-06T19:32:00.001+08:00

standard, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
apartment building number three - Hunan University of Technology - main campus - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
photo: mark hobbs

the count

2011-06-30T05:37:00.001+08:00

the count, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
small noodle take-out store "the best noodles in town" - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

stray

2011-06-22T00:54:00.001+08:00

stray, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
wild flowers vacant land - "Hunan University of Technology", late afternoon

river # 6 - flow

2011-06-16T00:55:00.003+08:00

river # 6 - flow, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
under the #1 bridge on the Xiangjiang (Xiang river), - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

for those of you who might be interested here is an interview regarding my street photography. Thanks to Dan for the honor, I'm amongst some great company..

photo: mark hobbs

an apartment

2011-06-16T00:55:00.001+08:00

an apartment, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
strangly isolated apartment building central Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

stylists

2011-06-16T00:53:00.003+08:00

stylists, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
hair dressers 'small back street' east of the city - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

bags

2011-06-16T00:53:00.001+08:00

bags, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Via Flickr:
50kg bags of sand, vacant land - mid afternoon - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

breakfast

2011-05-15T00:46:00.001+08:00

breakfast, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

early morning breakfast "cart" - central Huaihua, Huaihua, Hunan, China. - We visited Huaihua for the day

photo: mark hobbs

arc

2011-05-15T00:45:00.003+08:00

arc, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

busy street central Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

she # 2

2011-05-15T00:45:00.001+08:00

she # 2, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

its been 369 days since Cecilia and I were married. Everyday she makes me laugh, smile and always wonder how I got so lucky. Cecilia thank you.

photo: mark hobbs

starlight

2011-05-07T23:49:00.001+08:00

starlight, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

apartment buildings east of the city - zhuzhou, hunan, china

photo: mark hobbs

canteen - room(s) with dust # 1

2011-05-07T23:46:00.001+08:00

canteen - room(s) with dust # 1, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

abandoned canteen forth floor "canteen building" - Hunan University of Technology - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

Hunan chili

2011-05-07T23:41:00.001+08:00

Hunan chili, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

chili - market stall - central Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

Hunan is a land of gentle hills, capable of producing a great deal of food. The northeastern section of Hunan falls in the the Middle Yangtze Plain, a fertile agricultural area. Chinas second largest lake, Dongting Lake, is located in the far northeast portion of the province.

Across China using chili in cooking is as common as the Italians using garlic - It is simply part of the flavor. Nowhere in China uses chili to more effect than in Hunan. Szechuan is ofcourse famous for its hot chili spiced food.

Hunan Cuisine, is often spicier than Szechuan cuisine by pure chili content, it contains a larger variety of fresh ingredients and it tends to be oilier, and is said to be purer and simpler in taste.

In every street market and modern supermarket across the province, chili in all it's various varieties can be found, chili can be dried, ground to a fine powder, mixed with oil and of course fresh. There are several varieties of chili usually available, the most popular being the hot red chili (know in the west as birds eye chili) it is both cheap and plentiful

Hunan's culinary repertoire consists of more than 4,000 dishes, including Dong'an Chicken, Crispy Duck, Orange Beef, and Spicy "Kung Pao" chicken.

photo: mark hobbs

we had lunch

2011-03-23T08:57:00.001+08:00

we had lunch, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

one of my students (seated, facing the camera) invited me to lunch with his family - We had a delicious lunch - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: Mark Hobbs

fortress

2011-03-23T08:55:00.001+08:00

fortress, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

open gates of a construction site, central Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.

photo: Mark Hobbs

after work

2011-03-23T08:46:00.001+08:00

after work, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

migrant construction workers, central Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: Mark Hobbs

practice - polaroid # 33

2010-12-01T16:32:00.005+08:00

practice - polaroid # 33, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

four students attempt to practice football on the main football field of "Hunan University of Technology" - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

massive

2010-12-01T16:32:00.003+08:00

massive, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

large apartment block - TianYuan district - west of the city - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

observe

2010-12-01T16:32:00.001+08:00

observe, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

street vendor - west of the city - near "Hunan University of Technology".

photo: mark hobbs

homing # 2

2010-12-01T16:31:00.003+08:00

homing # 2, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

late for class - student of "Hunan University of Technology" - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

stand

2010-12-01T16:31:00.001+08:00

stand, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

small "backstreet" east of the city - near the main campus of Hunan University of Technology" - Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

open

2010-12-01T16:30:00.001+08:00

open, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

lane between "Hunan University of Technology" and the 'workers' housing. Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

croquet

2010-12-01T16:27:00.001+08:00

croquet, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

every morning and afternoon a group of elderly men and women gather under the shadow of the apartment buildings, inside the grounds of "Hunan University of Technology" to play croquet, gently hitting the hard ball around the sun parched 'pitch'.

photo: mark hobbs

the shadows stay

2010-11-08T18:20:00.001+08:00

the shadows stay, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

the concrete stairs and wall, outside my door - apartment building - "Hunan University of Technology", Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.

photo: mark hobbs

comfortable

2010-11-08T18:19:00.001+08:00

comfortable, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

store keepers, small "back street", west of the Xiangjiang River, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

corner

2010-11-08T18:17:00.001+08:00

corner, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

the last 'apartment' in a long row of buildings - late afternoon, central Zhuzhou, Hunan, China

photo: mark hobbs

amongst the clouds

2010-11-04T15:51:00.001+08:00

amongst the clouds, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Back in China - a rusting bicycle, under the stairwell of my apartment building, old campus - Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.

photo: mark hobbs

apartment window

2010-11-04T15:50:00.001+08:00

apartment window, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

Back in China - My apartment window - old campus - Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.

photo: mark hobbs

students

2010-07-14T00:21:00.001+08:00

students, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

first year English major students - "Dahongying University" Cixi campus

This class has about 40 students which is an average number for classes in China (I have taught up top 57 students in one class and as little as 17) this class is mainly made of young women (read girls) with about 5 boys, which is also the average. The boys either choosing to work on the family farm or look for a position in one of the big cities on the south east coast of China - Education at the University level in China is very expensive.

On the blackboard in the background the students have written Chinese quotes suggesting that "the students should not forget their dreams...." great advice of course, but these students have like most students of their age in China, very little knowledge of the outside world or any expectations beyond returning to their village or 'hometown' and doing exactly what their parents insist, settling down and having families of their own.

photo: mark hobbs

a patch of blue

2010-07-14T00:20:00.003+08:00

a patch of blue, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

wall - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

photo: mark hobbs

when they are together

2010-07-14T00:20:00.001+08:00

when they are together, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

two young boys at the entrance to a small hutong (traditional Chinese alley dwelling) - early evening - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

Happy "Fathers Day" to all of you 'Father's and to me :)

photo: mark hobbs

when the door is open

2010-07-14T00:19:00.001+08:00

when the door is open, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

a woman sits outside her home, making a hat - late afternoon - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

photo: mark hobbs

Guozhi Geming

2010-07-14T00:17:00.003+08:00

Guozhi Geming, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

standing tall - Guozhi Geming the "Party Boss" (Chinese Communist Party) of the Gaoqiao market - late afternoon - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

This stern looking man, is both the "Party Boss" and manager of the Gaoqiao market, his word is final - no discussion. A translation of his name is "may the state govern" (Guozhi) and "revolution" (Geming) I love the contradiction.

photo: mark hobbs

when he reads

2010-07-14T00:17:00.001+08:00

when he reads, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

leaving a residential area, a young man reads a txt on his cellphone - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

In China it seems that everyone has a cellphone (perhaps, this is the case across the globe?) Actually it is over half a billion people who own and use a cellular phone in China. Amazing statistics when you consider that the mobile phone was first introduced in 1995. Many of the phones are of course Shanzhai (which can translate as "A Chinese imitation and pirated brand and or good, particularly electronics")

photo: mark hobbs

almost here

2010-07-14T00:16:00.001+08:00

almost here, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

wall - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

photo: mark hobbs

feel that funky groove

2010-07-14T00:15:00.001+08:00

feel that funky groove, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

i love the irony here - a 'disco' tshirt hangs in a "nong tang" (alley) Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

try explaining in Chinese what this 'Funky thing' is....

photo: mark hobbs

when the road turns

2010-07-14T00:14:00.001+08:00

when the road turns, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

intersection of two alley's "nong tang's" - early evening - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mark hobbs

at 5:36pm

2010-07-14T00:13:00.001+08:00

at 5:36pm, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

going home - afternoon - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mhobbs

dust sweeper

2010-06-25T00:32:00.003+08:00

dust sweeper, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

the endless job of sweeping the dust - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.

Since first coming to China in early 2004, I have seen countless numbers of these "road sweepers", who seemingly have a thankless, endless task. In some cities such as Taiyuan, Shanxi province, the sweepers work in groups (both men and women). Taiyuan has the added 'problem' of dust both local from coal production and dust blown into the city from the ever expanding Gobi dessert. In a relatively modern/developed city such as Ningbo the road sweepers work from very early in the morning to just before sunset. I have seen (and photographed) mechanized truck road sweepers, but these are rare.

photo: mhobbs

hutong wall with detail

2010-06-25T00:32:00.001+08:00

hutong wall with detail, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

i love the way this wall is constructed - the laying of the narrow stones one upon the other, stones or bricks gathered from various sources including of course older destroyed buildings, now recycled. (the proof of this is in the detail) The wall is constructed without any mortar - and forms the exterior wall on four sides of a hutong (tradition Chinese alley dwelling) Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China - late afternoon

photo: mhobbs

turn - nong tang # 37

2010-06-25T00:31:00.001+08:00

turn - nong tang # 37, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

after work a man walks home - "nong tang" (alley) Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China - late afternoon

photo: mhobbs

still

2010-06-25T00:30:00.001+08:00

still, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

a bed sheet hangs between two small hutong (traditional Chinese alley dwellings) in a 'courtyard' small village, Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mhobbs

she turned

2010-06-25T00:29:00.003+08:00

she turned, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

a factory worker still wearing her uniform heads home at the end of the work day - early evening - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

I have been exploring the countless alleys and small streets around Gaoqiao since I first moved to Ningbo twelve months ago. The seemingly endless variation and hidden spaces never cease to amaze me, from a purely artistic point of view, the textures and "play of light" in these spaces has given me a wonderful opportunity that I will always remember.

photo: mhobbs

the time is always 6am

2010-06-25T00:29:00.001+08:00

the time is always 6am, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

student dormitories "Dahongying University" - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

these are the first year student dorms' the girls dorms opposite my apartment building - in all the schools (read Universities) that I have taught at in my five + years in China, all the dorm buildings are the same (not just similar, but exactly the same) which isn't unusual for China. They are six level (seven levels and a building must have an elevator) concrete buildings with a balcony for each dorm room (which is used to hang washing) the buildings are tiled on the exterior walls and have neither heating nor cooling, no hot water and no cooking facilities

photo: mhobbs

shallow - nong tang # 35

2010-06-21T10:43:00.003+08:00

shallow - nong tang # 35, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

after a day of showers and some heavy rain the "nong tang" (alley) is dark and 'heavy' with water - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mhobbs

she has some red

2010-06-21T10:43:00.001+08:00

she has some red, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

a woman strolls along a "nong tang" (alley) - protecting herself from the rain with a bright red umbrella - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mhobbs

bleach

2010-06-21T10:42:00.001+08:00

bleach, originally uploaded by china.sixty4.

washing hangs outside a small home - Gaoqiao, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

photo: mhobbs