‚欢迎到上海‘ (Welcome to Shanghai)
As we were walking down the street, tortured by hazardous summer daze, but mollified by the soothing canal, leading to huangpu river – glorified with the sight of Oriental Pearl tower, which slightly reminded me of the TV tower back in my hometown – ‚Fernsehturm‘ as we Berliners would tenderly say.
We turned left into a small busy road, people scuffing down the street – dodging motorbikes and dusty trucks. To our left, a huge construction zone appeared. Caution! ‚Luxury apartments for our leading elite society‘ it says. Captivated by the advertising panaroma picture of Lujiazui skyline , i pondered whether the view from the future luxury apartments will be the same. As we were marching on, run-down ancient shanghainese real estates stroke our view. In front, construction workers with yellow shining helmets were glaring at us with a sense of curious amusement. ‚你好‘ we greeted them, also to signal we only came with good intentions.
Slowly we kept sneeking onwards, considered not to disturb the local residents, who were already contemplating our cameras, obviously revealing our purpose of visit.
Nearly all estates were knocked down, leaving a scenery of devastation and ruins – inbetween straying dogs and cats.
Nevertheless a flow of people was passing us, disappearing in the deserted lanes ahead – this place must be comparably like an oasis I mumbled assumed to myself.
After looking around disorientated we stopped to watch workers heaving bricks onto a truck.
Noticing us, they were exchanging some words, drawing attention to each other that the foreigners are watching. Yet, they unperturbed went on with their work and addressed me afterwards whether I am chinese.
As we wandered around we spotted a little boy sitting on the ground, his mother guarding him. Cheerful he was bathing his dinosaur toys made of rubber in the water bowl in front of him. Excited, he was probably simulating a fight, rooting for his little rubber friends. When he realized we were making pictures, he turned to his mum, wheras she just gave us a warm smile, encouraging her child.
When we reached the edge of the housing scheme, a sudden ‚hello‘ made us turn around. A mid-age lady was waving at us enthusiastically. ‚来来‘-‚come come‘ she invited us, followed by ‚please please‘. Her hair was cut neatly short, the skin healthy tan and moisturized, while she was wearing a gaudy orange silk dress. I would have expected to meet her at a basement in one of those service apartments – not between rubble and destruction.
Thankful we entered the modest housing estate, food dishes were already prepared on a small round table for dinner. In the gloomy light she sat down on the wooden bed. Proudly and full of self confidence she crossed her legs and posed for our cameras.
As if people are already used to media attention, they portray a paradox life full of brightness joy within a fast growing environment, which left them exclusively behind in their solemn.
All pictures are taken and edited by myself.