by Brian Awehali
Kitebird flown at People’s Park, Chengdu in 2010. – (c) 2012, Brian Awehali
“I’m very worried,” said Mr. C., our interpreter and guide, as our driver pulled into the courtyard. His eyes were wet. “Only two of my pigeons have returned from the race two days ago.”
Mr. C., a thin man with a sweet face, had arranged through a friend for us to make a weekend visit to a Chengdu suburb for a tour of a pigeon racing club and one racer’s private coop.
“How many pigeons did you release?” I asked.
“Ten,” he said mournfully. As we piled out of the sedan into a courtyard, he ran ahead.
Orderly pigeons in a Chengdu rooftop coop – (c) 2012, Brian Awehali
The owner of this private coop, who was meeting us inside, was the editor of a newspaper, and also a prominent local member of the Communist Party. Most officials of any substantial-sized business in China probably are, and one might consider it an occupational hazard.
Ah, sweet release:
Photo-of-a-photo on the wall of a suburban Chengdu pigeon racing club – (c) 2012, Brian Awehali
