I decided to have a look round the local area as I hadn’t had the chance yet. So, for a break from my work, I slung my camera around my neck and went for a walk. After 40 minutes I came across a big flyover and walking underneath it I came across what can only be described as a township.
Knowing that there would be a huge amount of staring I walked along dirt paths lined with dirty grey houses with washing hanging outside, kids squatting down on the ground playing cards and weeing (not at the same time though!).
Predictably everyone stared… massively. I mean, not only the young and old as would normally be expected but everyone. There was not one head which was not turned as I walked by.
“Hello” they shouted and called me over to chat. Of course the first question is always “Where are you from?” then “How long have you lived in Nanjing?” and then, from the women “How old are you?”
Without exception they were all charming and welcoming. The children loved to pose for my camera and whenever I sat down (on the many chairs which were offered me) the young and the old gathered round to have a better look.
The market was full of activity and taking a side road off the main street I emerged into an open space where I found a blacksmith with his portable workshop.
Walking home, I tried to guess which way out, but in the rabbit warren full of side streets I spent quite a while being directed left and right before seeing the flyover in the distance.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that it is like
another world there. It’s amazing that in a city like Nanjing where
there is such huge wealthand consumerism, there can be an area like this which is so poor.
