Dalian, China 1984-1985
These amazing, historic photos were recently sent to me by Ralph Lake, an old colleague and excellent Mandarin speaker, who shared an extraordinary year with me in Dalian, Manchuria, where I taught English at the Dalian Foreign Language Institute for a year from 1984-1985. It was only five years after the Cultural Revolution, Mao caps and bicycles were everywhere, the shops were almost empty, people were poor and cold but full of energy. I remember walking past a row of hovels one morning. There was mud everywhere, a pig in the yard, coal smoke coming from the chimney. A young couple emerged in smartly pressed clothes and set off with their briefcases to work. I remember thinking: these people will conquer the world. And now they are on the way to doing so. It’s simply astounding to realise that these pictures – of donkeys in the street, and old men in mao caps smoking clay pipes – were taken only a generation ago.
Simon Worrall was born in Wellington, England and spent his childhood in Eritrea, Paris and Singapore. He has written for publications all over the world, including National Geographic, Smithsonian, London Times, The Guardian, Paris Review, GQ, The New Yorker, The New Republic, Conde Nast Traveler, Maxim, Playboy,Die Zeit and the New Statesman. He divides his time between Herefordshire and the East End of Long Island.
Hi Simon, just listened to your Ombak Putih dispatch on BBC. Inspires me to take the same boat, I love Bali.
I’m now curious to see the photos you mention above, however they’re not showing. Where’s the link?
I live in Shanghai and work for The Economist. If you’re ever in town would be great to meet you.
Cheers,
Seumas