Johnnycomelately2007

Thank you all for your ideas. Can't wait to play around some more. I am embarrassed to admit I hadn't discovered the "smooth zoom" feature yet. Now I have! Thanks. The particular day we went to the Wall was cold--so we thought few people would go. Wrong. But the favorite tourist destinations are often busy--unless it is snowing. There are many other places to see the wall that may be less picturesque--but are much more interesting to explore on your own without people present. Smog is not as bad as in past years--but not good either. Let's hope it is clear during the 2008 Olympics. Local traffic and other pollution will largely be put on hold during that time--so we will see. About the camel--the poor beast had somehow been led almost to the top of that section of the Great Wall. Did he/she climb all those stairs? Did it climb up the mountain side? Anyway, the camel was on the wall and never seemed to flinch even though several children (and mothers) climbed on and off. I know it was alive because it blinked. Mr/Mrs. (?) camel probably did have frosted breath, but all that fur on the outside seemed to keep its temper happy enough. These slide shows are indeed a wonderful window into the world. Better than a picture book or documentary, because they represent the lives of the people who live there and love it. I have never been to Europe (or many other places in the world), but I know so much more than it's location on a map or its tourist attractions. I know a little of it's heart as seen through the eyes and hearts of its people. Thank you all too.

A New Show at Beechbrook called "Great Wall." Let me know what you think. The setting is winter which is bleak and drab in central China. It is also about the only time to get blue sky. Though the pictures are bleak, I think the many colorful people create a refreshing contrast. Most of these pictures were taken near the Chinese New Year -- Jan 29, I think. That accounts for the masses of people. Most of the "people" pictures are taken at the same time--on the wall. A few non-Great Wall pictures were tossed in near the end, because I couldn't resist--mainly because I was tired of looking at the Great Wall so long, and thought you might be too. But in defense of including them, they are drab and interesting and very Chinese. They are also taken in late fall or mid-winter. Of all the photos on my computer, I don't know why I put these together--maybe because I am so glad winter is past and summer is around the corner. Maybe in time for Fall, I will put together the lovely spring-time plum and cherry blossoms pictures from places like the Purple Bamboo Park. We'll see. Well this was an afternoon project--I hope someday to have time to develop skills that so many of you have in creating truly creative artistic shows. Till then...