Dream Trip 2009

Great Travel Moment

China is such a country of contrasts. After visiting the bustling city of Shanghai, I found myself in the rural town of Jiangshan, about four hours bus ride from the economic epicenter of China. My purpose was to celebrate the house-warming of a Chinese friend whose family had built up a concrete fortress that stood out amongst the agrarian landscape. While adults admired the newly built wonder, these children pranced around with their helium balloons, oblivious to the excitement over the new house. It struck me that it took a new three story house for us adults to be mesmorized, even in the natural beauty of a town like Jiangshan. All the while, these children found joy in a small piece of plastic colored brilliantly and floating above their heads. I snapped this shot hoping to capture their excitement over the balloons, and came away giggling at the little fellow on the left's expression. He seems to be saying, "Look what I've got here...the secret to fun!"