One of the first things you notice after arriving in China is that this place never seems to stop growing. Fueled by the growling magma of newfound economic growth, it just keeps expanding - upwards, downwards, sideways and every direction you can think of in between, to an ever-shifting bursting point. Go figure. Soon enough, … Continue reading Fuckland
Author: Jac Kritzinger
A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #3
Pictures that make me feel something. From the cold, roaring heart of the beast that is China. Chenyang district, Qingdao, 2020 I thought this view from a hilltop I stumbled upon in our neighbourhood a few days ago would make a pretty nice postcard, with a homesick poem scribbled on the back, if it was … Continue reading A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #3
The lesson of all lessons
Pretty cute, right? And the puppy isn’t too bad, either. I took this photo of my woman and our miniature Maltese poodle, Soekie, about four years ago. The Shnook was only about three months old at the time, and this was her first outing to the beach in the sleepy, seaside hamlet that we used … Continue reading The lesson of all lessons
A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #2
Pictures that make me feel something. From the cold, roaring heart of the beast that is China. Man with phone, Shinan, 2020 Back in February of 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was still in its infancy and mostly restricted to China, I shot a series called Kŏuzhào in Qingdao. It focused on local residents' defiance … Continue reading A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #2
A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #1
Pictures that make me feel something. From the cold, roaring heart of the beast that is China. Dental clinic window, Shibei, 2020 In a country exceedingly obsessed with appearance (and skillfully hiding the rot beneath the surface), cosmetic dentistry has taken off in a big way in China. Dentists have a way of doing their … Continue reading A photo a day keeps the dragon at bay: #1
English on the side for money
I’m a writer and a photographer, teaching English on the side for money. These are the words I wrote down on a piece of scrap paper, shortly after our arrival in China almost eight months ago. I stuck it on the bare bedroom wall of our 15th floor concrete box with a grim mixture of … Continue reading English on the side for money
Unchartered waters
In early January of this year, roughly around the same time the bogeyman’s spit hit the fan in Wuhan - about 1000 kilometres away from where we are still toughing it out in China - I got sick. It started with a sore throat and a blocked nose, and soon moved on to fever, chills … Continue reading Unchartered waters
It’s alright, Ma, I’m only sighing
I’ve been listening to Bob Dylan since dawn. Mostly in my head, seeing as my woman and I only have one set of working earphones between us. With the web of traveling restrictions tightening around the world, we are still stuck - as thumb-twiddling ESL teachers - in China. At times like these, one can … Continue reading It’s alright, Ma, I’m only sighing
Right here, right now
To begin at the beginning: I am a South African traveller, psychonaut, searcher and a fool. Labels being what they are, I can just say that, having officially reached the dubious hinterland of middle age in semi-decent shape, I am equally grateful for the good times and the bad. Namaste. There have been many skyrocketing … Continue reading Right here, right now
