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(Keeping an Eye: This man in a suit, looking aimlessly into the distance, was heard having an animated argument over the cellphone on the footbridge as I walked past him. A footbridge in China can be a busy place to walk on because there are lots of selling and other activities on them. Some years ago, I was warned to be vigilant on a footbridge in China because thievery was more rampant up there. The warning has tested to be not really true.)
Some years ago, I read a story titled, "Compassion is in the Eyes" which is about Thomas Jefferson giving a horse ride to an old-timer. The old-timer thanked him for his help by saying something that Jefferson felt heart-warming, "I looked into the eyes of the other riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation. It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident. I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."
A Chinese saying goes, "Yanjing shi linghun zhi chuan", or, literally, eyes are the windows to the soul.
A Chinese saying goes, "Yanjing shi linghun zhi chuan", or, literally, eyes are the windows to the soul.
(Up and Down: It was at the end of lunchtime when I took this shot. This young lady must have taken her lunch, and was probably walking with her friends back to the workplace. There was not much interaction between the passers-by, not just about this lady and her friends but most people I walked past before and after this shot. I think she was casting a rather blank gaze upon the road ahead)
I am not sure how ordinary or typical some of the people I met on the street are. But as far as my experience goes, a lot of them lack sparks in their eyes. That was just my vague impression until I reviewed the street shots which, thanks to the handiness of my GX200, I was able to take during the China trip. The eyes of the subjects seem to be filled with uncertainty. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe calling them the-without-hopes is going too far, but the expression in their eyes can betray the amount of hope they see.
I am not sure how ordinary or typical some of the people I met on the street are. But as far as my experience goes, a lot of them lack sparks in their eyes. That was just my vague impression until I reviewed the street shots which, thanks to the handiness of my GX200, I was able to take during the China trip. The eyes of the subjects seem to be filled with uncertainty. Maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe calling them the-without-hopes is going too far, but the expression in their eyes can betray the amount of hope they see.
(The Bicyclist: This middle-aged man was not waiting to cross a road or for whatever. He just walked slowly with the bike to one direction and look over to another direction. The enlarged original image showed that he was wearing a puzzled expression on his face with a pair of puzzling eyes)
Last night, I took the trouble to check out the expression in the passers-by's eyes on the street. I was not sure if I saw the same worrying gaze in the Hongkongers.
To those who do not see much hope, I wish them more, better hopes in the new year. To all the Chinese people, I wish you all a brighter future to come. And, to you, a Happy New Year!
Last night, I took the trouble to check out the expression in the passers-by's eyes on the street. I was not sure if I saw the same worrying gaze in the Hongkongers.
To those who do not see much hope, I wish them more, better hopes in the new year. To all the Chinese people, I wish you all a brighter future to come. And, to you, a Happy New Year!
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