November 19, 2011

Boys, Bicycles and a Footbridge of Misfortune

 Kaiping, 2011


These boys taking a rest with their bicycles gave me some nice reflections and shadows for Weekend Reflections and Shadow Shot Sunday.

They were whizzing around on this large open space in a city park. Across the river, the white building, is Kaiping People's Hall, the seat of the municipal government.

Local friends told us that ever since the footbridge was built in the 1990s, all leading officials - mayors and party secretaries - have ended up being charged with malfeasance. The reason they are caught, the story goes, is that the footbridge is shaped like handcuffs and contravenes basic principles of feng shui (wind-water; loosely meaning geomancy).

[Enlarge for panoramic view.]

The footbridge joins Sunday Bridges.

42 comments:

Kay L. Davies said...

I guess the fact that they were committing the crimes is secondary to their poor feng shui? Too funny. I say hooray for the footbridge!
The reflections and shadows of the boys are lovely, Francisca.

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Simon said...

I love the image of the boys!! And then to see the whole setting too-wonderful.
I too enjoy your verse about word verification. I wish more people would stop using it-makes commenting so much easier.
Happy weekend to you!

Traveling Hawk said...

Wonderful shots, I like them both!

Anonymous said...

The tiled space is enormous and your composition really shows that. I like the patterns too!

cieldequimper said...

Both are great but I really like the sense of space in the first one!

Sylvia K said...

I do love the image of the boys, Cisca! Delightful and perfect reflections for the day! You already know how I feel about politicians so I won't go there today -- I'd rather enjoy the beauty!! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Sylvia

Andy said...

Beautiful eye catching shot of the boys and their reflections.

Kim, USA said...

Huge place to play around!
Happy weekend!

Weekend Reflection

EG CameraGirl said...

Hmmm. We could use some feng shui handcuffs here in Canada. Lots of wrong doing but no one is being caught!

eileeninmd said...

Looks like a neat place but, the handcuff shape is strange to me. Great capture of the boys and their reflections. Have a great weekend!

joo said...

Wow, Francisca! The first one is gorgeous!
Have a great weekend:)

Roberto Machado Alves said...

The first picture is marvelous. Great capture.
Have a nice weekend.

Karen said...

Love the first one! Great reflections, shadows and composition.

Andrea said...

I love how you showed the vivid details, my hands are not that study all the time. Funny and sad how these people do bad deeds and pass on the blame to the feng shui!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

hmmmm...gotta think on this one. I think I know of some cities/counties around this country where people should have been charged with malfeasance, but weren't. Does that mean their buildings are good feng shui and it saved them ;>) Seriously, this is interesting!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

feng shui so impt in the East. O was told HK Shanghai bank was not amking money because the lion was placed facing inside.

Francisca said...

@Ann... you can check out this interesting article about HSBC's feng shui. It's been a controversial building ever since it was erected in 1985. However, you may say it's losing money, yet it ranks as the 20th largest bank in the world. :-)

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

just got yr comment. Re: HK Shanghai bank, that was in the beginning, when they found the lion facing inwards, the Fengshui master said was no good, so the reverted it, becos the lion is to look out to protect the bank. since then, the owners consulted the fengshui masters everytime.

I once was given a lion, and my cleaner after cleaning it tells me I must face it out wards even though i didn't believe in it.

s.c said...

Great shot of the boys on their bikes. Love it.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

At first I thought that the one boy had fallen, but, as you explained, he was merely taking a rest!

I HAVE A LITTLE SHADOW

I have a little shadow that always follows me;
My shadow is my best friend, as anyone can see.

No matter where my feet go, my shadow’s always there—
Except, of course, at midnight with darkness everywhere!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Sunflower Shadows

Tina´s PicStory said...

sweet shadow shot! :)

Ms. Becky said...

I'm loving that first photo of the boys surrounded by all that gorgeous stone and I live the larger view to give me perspective as to the actual size of it. hey, if it takes a footbridge to catch the scoundrels, then so be it! that's a cool story. happy SSS to you Francisca.

Anonymous said...

Ah, reacquainted themselves awkwardly. ~Mary

Halcyon said...

I guess those who break the feng shui rules deserve to go to jail! ;)
It's a nice footbridge in any case. And I rather like those circular tiles.

LV said...

Little did those boys realize they were making shows to be shown on a blog.

Ann said...

Great photo of the boys and their bikes. The background pattern makes this so interesting to view. Thanks for sharing.

Pat Tillett said...

I enlarged and am glad I did. that is an interesting story as well!

genie said...

The bridge with the boys and their bikes has presented me with an optical illusion. The real area look like it is going UP! Interesting. Such nice shots. Your blog is always such a treat to visit. I am going around the world with you and it is such fun. genie

Hey Harriet said...

What a sweet photo! And such an interesting story about the footbridge! I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Beautiful paving pattern feature and love how the boys seem so small in it! Enjoyed the comments with the images too!

Catherine said...

a beautiful composition to this shot...

VioletSky said...

I had to look at both photos carefully a few times to realize that the boys weren't in a bowl, but just on a flat plaza!

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful shots Francesca!

Sun Catcher Shadows , happy Thanksgiving!

Pat said...

I, too, thought the boy had fallen till I read more of your post. I like the close-up, then the complete picture. Great shots!

TheChieftess said...

Nice shot Francisca! I love the expanse of brick...

Elisa said...

Hi dear Francisca,
My French Travel Blog was chosen for the blog contest in Elle.fr Magazine.
Could you leave your vote here?
http://www.elle.fr/Site/Grand-Prix-des-Blogueuses-ELLE-2011/(blog)/elisa-origami
You can also leave your vote every day up to December the 2nd.
Thanks a lot!
Have a nice week
Elisa, from Argentina

Jim said...

Looks like a beautiful place.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Anonymous said...

The first image really grabs me Francisca. You tell many stories in a beautifully conceived and rendered image. This one is a keeper!

Antonella said...

Karma... You captured such a perfect picture of the boys!
Hugs, antonella :-)

H said...

Maybe we should insist that handcuff shaped bridges be constructed outside every building of local or national government.

I very much like your photo.

Anonymous said...

That first shot is so amazing - vulnerable and lovely.

Seems a bit unfair to imprison everyone for not following the rules of feng shui - perhaps educating them would be a better course of action?

Louis la Vache said...

Oops! He crashed - but didn't "burn".


«Louis» works all weekend, so it is difficult for him to visit those who have contributed to Sunday Bridges on Sunday. So here it is mid-week and he's FINALLY getting around to visiting and thanking all who contributed to the meme.