china 2006 part1

Second day back at home.. part of me is still in china where i had been. Reminiscing slowly at home, each place we went, things done, its completely surreal to me now. *its like that for me after every trip*

One image that etched in my mind strongly today, i realised is a pair of hands i spotted for a split moment in the streets of shanghai. She has a name or identity as the Paris of the East, but yet, this image never got itself out the moment it go captured in my God given digi cam thats 25 years old.

Its small, dirty, calloused, bruised and have open wounds on it. It looks unattended to for too long, looks out of place on its owner, looks like it has been through some really tough times. This pair of small hands looks like it has been put to some tough work in the construction site for a good 10 years.. Imagine with me.. Fingers are rough, tough; skin thats dirty to the extent of black, thats it looks like it have to be soaked in tubs of milk or soap or moisturizer before it will soften; open wounds every where, and still being exposed to the harsh cold winds that was blowing across the city.

My heart skipped a beat when i saw them, not because they were gorgeous, neither was i disgusted.. it skipped cos its shock and sad. This pair of hands belonged to a girl who cannot be more than 11 years old... In the cold winter evening, where adults are wearing warm coats and boots, this child is performing on streets to earn money (forgot the term for it). She is not alone, together with her was a child who is younger still, all over the city, there were many girls of her age selling flowers, begging, performing... is there something i can do for them? was the thought that still reels in my head now......