"Visual Quotations"

Photographs by Richard Freeman

Quotations from Beijing

Out of the six weeks we spent in China, four were in Beijing. In most cities both the students and faculty stayed with families. In Beijing, however, the faculty were put up in a modest hotel. After four weeks, I still do not know the street the hotel was on. I was never so lost in any culture as I was in China. Not being able to understand the alphabet prevents you from even reading the signs. I carried a card from the hotel with me. Although I often rode the bike I rented, or used the subway, sometimes I needed a cab. I would just hand the card to the driver and say, "xiexie", thank you, and hope for the best. But I did love biking around the city with my camera and students (in that order).