With everything so big—the buildings, the streets, the crowds—it’d be easy to forget what Beijing is, the city’s essence. In my writing as in my life, I believe it’s the little details that count, and once again, I was proven right.
I collect antiques, so when I saw these red doors with the peeling paint and old wood, I felt right at home. Those knobs are so pretty, many reproductions are sold in markets and souvenir shops – I should’ve brought my screwdriver.
That is one thing French-Canadians haven’t realized, yet: old houses are worth restoring to give them new life. Most of the old hutongs in the Forbidden City are being renovated, and they’re doing a fine job.
I was amazed by the stone carving found on the Emperor’s stairs at the Imperial Palace, and then near a hotel on the side of a business, a pretty medallion.
But details mean nothing when you know the amount of information China hides from its people, the number of people being thrown out of their homes to build new condos, and the size of the revolution that is bound to happen, sooner or later. And I can’t help but think it’ll reach us all the way to the other side of the world, changing us just the same.
*** The winner for the City of Hell giveaway are: DIGITAL DAME & LEONARD WHITE. Congrats you two, and thanks for everyone who participated♥***
Anne Michaud 
November 28th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
Wow, that is fantastic. Thank you.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
What an interesting look at some unique details in China. I love those knobs too! So much character and history in such a small object. Lovely.
November 28th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
I have this vision of you with your screwdriver… Love these pictures, especially the door with the peeling paint.
November 28th, 2011 at 3:01 pm
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much! 😀
And your pics of China are wonderful. I love that you chose to focus on the little things, which I think are what really give a place character, and identity.
November 28th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Fascinating insight Anne thankyou. I love the pictures and that carving WOW!
November 29th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
Great photography Anne, I notice your Gothic-ness coming through in your colour choices, red and grey. It must have been hard, to have to compromise your sense of aesthetics and include some bright blue sky, but I don’t think it takes from the overall effect too much…
Love the attention to detail, both yours and the Chinese’s…
December 1st, 2011 at 1:18 pm
You’ve definitely had a real chunk of inspiration and lots of things to interest you whilst you’re there. Hope it does you the world of good and that the photo’s last a long time. Sometimes the strangest things help the writer within you, such as why was the wardrobe in such a state? LOL
December 2nd, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Old houses are a hot commodity in Ontario…I live in a century home and although it can be a bit of a money pit, the character alone is worth the expense!
December 3rd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Fantastic pics Anne! I loved the horse, sooo pretty! 🙂
December 3rd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
You know, I’ve come back to look at these pictures of yours four times now, trying to think of how to describe what I think of the things you saw and recorded.
I can’t. I’m lost for words.
Beautiful will have to do, though it doesn’t begin to cover it.