NPR: May Day, May Day!

May Day, May Day!

by Melissa Block

OK, I promise this will be my last post about the floral display in Tianfu Square here in Chengdu. I admit I've become a bit obsessed about this technicolor May 1st blooming extravaganza. But it is finally May Day, the start of a three-day weekend in China. And this morning, the bright floral 5/1 was a tempting backdrop for lots of people to take some holiday shots.

A young girl takes a picture of her mom in front of a May Day display in Chengdu, China. Photo: Melissa Block, NPR.

This young girl took a picture of her mom, then her mom took a picture of her. Melissa Block/NPR

I was looking forward to some grandiose, florid - if not floral - official Chinese speechmaking to mark the day in Tianfu Square. Turns out, there was none. May first was simply an occasion for folks from the city to go out to the country, and for country folks to come into the city for some r&r and photo ops.

A group of me pose for a photo in front of the iconic statue of Chairman Mao in Tianfu Square in Chengdu, China. Photo: Melissa Block, NPR.

This work unit posed for a group photo in front of the iconic statue of Chairman Mao in Tianfu Square. Melissa Block/NPR

A smiling family in Chengdu, China. Photo: Melissa Block, NPR.

The language barrier kept me from finding out where this happy family was visiting from, but their smiles are universal. Melissa Block/NPR

Also today, I caught up with these three cute schoolgirls walking down the street, each holding a cage with two tiny bunnies inside. May Day presents?

Young girls show off their bunny rabbits. Photo: Melissa Block, NPR.

These girls were happy to show off their bunny rabbits. Melissa Block/NPR

When I spotted a long string of schoolchildren in red vests and caps walking toward Tianfu Square, I followed along in great anticipation. "Terrific!", I thought. "Must be a May Day parade!" But then all the kids piled on to tour buses. Using some pantomime and one of the very few Chinese words I know - dizhen, or earthquake - I was able to figure out that they were going on a field trip to the earthquake zone. They were heading up to Hanwang and Beichuan, some of the most devastated areas, to witness the destruction. The earthquake of last May 12th has become a May 1st adventure.

One of a large group of schoolkids heading out on an earthquake field trip from Chengdu, China. Photo: Melissa Block, NPR.

One of a large group of schoolkids heading out on an earthquake field trip from Chengdu. Melissa Block/NPR

6:06 AM ET | 05- 1-2009 | permalink

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About 'Chengdu Diary'

We first launched this blog in the spring of 2008, when a team from NPR's All Things Considered headed to Chengdu, China, the capital of Sichuan Province, to prepare for a week of special programming on China. On May 12, 2008, the staff found themselves in the middle of an unexpected story when a massive earthquake struck southwestern China.

The 2008 entries on this blog offer a day-by-day chronicle of the team's experiences before and after the quake. The 2009 entries document a return visit to Chengdu and to the parts of Sichuan Province most affected by the disaster.

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