Images of the Surreal, Obscure and the Strange
Photos by Brian Markowitz, Poly Prep Country Day School

I have selected some of my photos to illustrate some of the the most interesting and memorable moments and sights from my trip.

For example, here is something you don't see everyday.

I found many of the every day signs, especially those with English translations to be quite humorous. These ate some of my favorites that I captured on film.

 

I found some very creative garbage pails.

Some proof from Hao Hot that the Chinese really do eat everything with wings, besides planes and everything with four legs except tables.

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The Second Ten Yuan
Poem by Rona Luo, Stuyvesant HS

Feeling confident
in my dark green tank top,
I was about to step
into the tall tour bus
after the Peking Opera
when they approached me
two round faced six year olds
with spiky hair
carrying wrapped roses in
Miss America position

Five yuan, five yuan, miss
Five yuan, five yuan

I was in my seat
by the time I realized
how short they were -
probably age six.
Pushing against the group
getting into the bus,
I clumsily pulled out a 50 yuan bil,
then an 100
wrong side of the wallet.
I flipped the dark maroon pouch
but found no coins.
I slapped my hips,
and remembered coins were in the pockets
of the shorts I changed out of.
There were only bills of tens left.
Slowly I handed one to the boy on the right;
and lifted my foot onto the bus stairs again.
The other boy tugged my dark green tank top.
Give me one too,
he croaked, eyes dilated with tension.
I pulled out another,
too suprised to think.
The boys turn their brown faces away
and return to calling anxiously

Five yuan, five yuan, mister
Five yuan, five yuan