The Fourth File

Gail at Picturing the Year, has passed on a fun meme…to pull the fourth photograph from the fourth file in her “my pictures” file…and she’s passed the challenge on to anyone who’s curious as to just what’s in that fourth file!  I thought I would try it myself just to see what I came up with. 

...and what I did come up with, made me smile :)

Me, cooking with very, looooong green beans in Shanghai, China

This photo was taken in Shanghai in September, 2001.  We were visiting my daughter Meghan, her husband and my son Robin, who were all working in China at the time and we traveled with my dad who was then eighty six. (He's now 93 and traveled to Mexico with us last year!)  For much of dad’s life, China was an exotic and enigmatic country and when we asked him if he would like to come with us, he jumped at the chance to realize the dream of a lifetime.  Dad is well traveled in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the US, but China was a mystery that had been shut away behind closed doors for much of his life.

In this picture I was standing in Meghan’s kitchen on the 24th floor of a modern high rise. It didn’t get much more modern than this and yet surrounding her building were narrow roads that turned and twisted through old longtangs and communist era structures.  We had a wonderful trip…traveling to Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Nanjing and down the Yangtze river.  We were three generations together, discovering China’s amazing and unique history and geography.  Meghan had been living abroad for almost six years…in Shanghai, Budapest and then back to Shanghai…so as we traveled, we caught up with each other’s lives.

It’s a trip we’ll never forget, but for more than just happy memories.  The day after we arrived in China…September 10, 2001…the Trade Center fell in New York City and the world has never been the same.  We numbly watched the events unfold on television as did everyone…feeling strangely detached in such a far away and foreign land and yet realizing just how small and connected the world really is.

I’ve included a few more photographs here of our time in China, all from “the fourth” file.  Thanks for putting the challenge out there Gail…this was fun! 

What’s the fourth picture in your fourth file?

top row:  The  Forbidden City Beijing, Meg & Bob on the Great Wall, Laundry hanging on Meghan’s street in Shanghai

Middle row:  Meg with pomegranates on the train from Nanjing, more of the street where Meg lived, all of us at the Terracotta Warriors in Xian

Bottom row:  Classical sleeve dancers, the Yangtze River, and the Tea Pavilion in Yu Yuan Gardens, Shanghai.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Play well and be kind to one another.

Comments

[martie]

I'm glad you took up this challenge. What a great photo and story you shared! LOVE IT, Kate. And yes, that was such a sad time. I was living in Germany and couldn't believe what I was seeing as the events of that day unfolded. It was so unreal that something so horrific was unfolding.

Great shots of China, and how wonderful that your Dad was able to realize a dream.

[charlane]

that looks like an amazing trip! thanks for sharing that

[Gail]

I've been waiting to take a peek at your fourth file!...Those are some green beans for sure:) How lucky to have been traveling with family...

[Genie Sea]

I live vicariously through you and your gorgeous photos :)

[Serena]

I enjoyed this post immensely, Kate. China is the one place my Dad always says he would love to visit. Judging by the photos, it sure looks like it would have been a wonderful and memorable trip.

[Stephanie]

Kate,
It is always a special treat to visit you! Those are some amazing green beans! What a beautiful story, you are lucky indeed my friend to have built such a wealth of memories.

x..x

[Geography Dissertation]

Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!