Pieces of Recollection

On the way to Everest, we stopped at a small town for lunch. The town was lined with a few small stores and a mechanic repair shop. Technically speaking, it could not really be considered a small town. After travelling hundreds of kilometres, this was the only place we came across where we could stop for supplies, and we certainly felt relieved.

While waiting for the restaurant to prepare lunch, I stepped outside and looked for subjects to photograph.

I found a couple of kids playing by the repair shop. One of them looked at me with her eyes wide open. Probably because of the cold weather, she had a runny nose. Her face was a little dirty, and there were signs of UV burns in several areas. The adults were probably too busy with work to take care of the children.

Facing a complete stranger, the little girl was not timid. She looked at me curiously.

I took out my 85mm lens and hastily photographed her.

Looking at her reminded me of my brother. He had a very sensitive nose for a while when he was young, and often had a runny nose. He was teased many times, and every time, I was angry.

There were times when I even fought with other kids who laughed at him.

“He had a very sensitive nose for a while when he was young, and often had a runny nose.”

While photographing this little girl, I felt compassion for her.

Suddenly, in the distance, the driver shouted, "Mr. Zhang, lunch is ready!"

I responded, smiled at the child, put away my camera, and ended the session.

Did you have a runny nose when you were a kid?