kfc, bank lunches and pigeons

7 january

8 january morning train to harbin

men walking cows in the snow – strong orange sun rising in birch trees – clumps of small cottages white snow bound with puffs of smoke coming from each chimney – fields tilled with fresh snow – black bird slowly flying south against white ground – east orange turning to pink in west – factories belching black smoke into clean blue morning air – haystacks drooping under their own wet weight – black birds settling in white snow – long brick red factory walls – lines through the landscape – air smelling of morning snow and sweet chinese hot milk breakfast – dozens of cottages surrounding factories like nineteenth century England – over and over – everyone quiet reading newspapers on their bunks or smoking in the carriage way – everyone with a mobile phone – radio blaring with chinese noise - - cows in line eating leftover corn stalks