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Work on Farms Main Source of Employment for Workers in Countryside.
Countryside workers rely on Chinese farms for earning a living. At the time of our visit,
Huang Jinao had no large chemical or car factories and no viable alternative for employment other than farming. The farmland in the area was very fertile and good use was made by the farmers of any flat land for the growing of rice, rice and more rice. Yin had been telling me in his letters about the work his family and friends had been doing to clear a mountain of its trees and brushwood, so that it could be terraced for growing fruits and vegetables.
When he said he would take me to see the results of their work, I had assumed that the mountain was close to the Chinese farm, but I was mistaken, and as we walked on narrow tracks alongside and between paddy fields, in blazing sun, the perspiration seeped from my pores. Looking back from the top of the mountain I felt quite pleased with myself, until we went into a small wooden shelter for a rest to find Yin's Chinese grandma there smoking a cigarette whilst sitting on a low stool, and then to be told that grandma makes the journey to the top of the mountain everyday.
Farmer Grows Chestnuts on Low Grafted Bushes on Cleared Mountain.
 My idea of a chestnut tree had always been something growing about 5 to 10 metres tall with wide spreading branches, and never in my life had I seen a bush about 1 metre in height producing fruit ! Yin proudly stands by one of his bushes after explaining to me the process of grafting short stems onto a root stock, to produce a first crop within a period of 18 months, something I had never heard of before. We live and learn ! Of course, the mountain had been cleared of trees, brushwood, and terraced by hand, by the farmer and his family without the use of any mechanical equipment so it was a particularly remarkable achievement which I admired.
Farmers Son of School Age Faces Future Life Working on Farm.
Returning back to Yin's home after our climb up the mountain, we passed a neighbor's house, also farmers, and we were immediately invited in to have a drink of water, so I think we must all have looked rather hot and thirsty. The young son of the farmer seemed particularly interested in my camera, so I took a few photos of him looking rather serious at his first contact with a Westerner.
Only a miracle or a disaster would change the pattern of his future life. He would most likely leave school, work on the farm, get married and have a child, but continue to live with his extended family.
Picture of Grandma in Her Eightieth year, Mother of Chinese Farmer.
 When we got back to Yin's home, his Chinese grandma was waiting for us looking far more relaxed in her eightieth year than any of us. I sat on a cool and comfortable bamboo armchair in the living-room, and soon after, Yin's mother brought a bowl of hot water and a hand towel so that I could refresh myself; such is Chinese hospitality to their guests. Yin's nephew then wandered into the farmhouse living-room, took one look at me, and promptly left !
Wild Card
| Pictures of Chinese wedding with ancient customs western style. Chinese wedding pictures as Bride and Groom return to Groom's home for Chinese Tea Ceremony, then to Park for photos, followed by wedding banquet in keeping with Chinese Wedding Traditions. |
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Previous China photos
Pics of People in China.
Food for Vegetarians.
Grand Master Su Xi.
For friends in Vietnam.
Embroidery of Suzhou.
Pictures of Vegetables.
Pagoda Forest Shaolin.
For friends in China.
From Visit June 2004.
Links For Europeans, Canadians And Americans
Pictures of Dragons.
Pictures of China.
Chinese Food Pictures.
People Pictures.
Buddhism and Buddha.
Shaolin Ceremonies.
Children in China.
Pictures of Old People.
Yangtze River Cruise.
Chinese Wedding.
Making Coolie Hats.
Silk Worms and Cocoons.
Highest Mountain Guilin.
Takeaway Menu.
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