It was not my first time visiting the town of Fengyi (凤仪) in Maoxian (茂县), but it sure felt like it was. The town has utterly transformed. Walking through the streets at night elicit the particular feelings of a neat and modern city: safe, clean, illuminated and convenient. But this is not strictly a celebration. As colorful as it can be, it feels slightly sterile, when reflecting on the past – although that’s certainly OK. But it’s shocking, the perceivable…
Although I have a couple posts examining the Sichuan countryside already, I don’t think any amount could ever be adequate. Even if the imagery of the countryside ever manages to blend together, I believe there are endless powerful stories that took place in these parts. Looking at the furthest ends of my own ancestry, one can find the dramatic accounts of urban youth dispatched to the countryside, rich landowners forced to give up their property, and destitute farmers securing opportunities…