Xi'an
Photographer: rAchel
Date: 31st July 2005
Place: Xi'an, China
1. The first stage is your starting point.
Starting at the beginning is generally a good idea. An arrow points towards Jiulonghu - the Nine Dragons Lake.
2. Walk in any direction for 50 to 100 paces, and then turn 180 degrees.
There are enough cameras focusing on the statue - my eye travels to a neglected bud by the lakeside.
3. Continue walking in that direction until you see something blue.
4. Make a left turn and walk 50 to 70 paces.
5. Walk in any direction until you see something that either is or looks like the number 7 or 11.
Not too much of a stretch, I hope.
6. Take the first left, and continue walking until you find somewhere to sit.
It's a brutal roasting afternoon, best spent in the shade.
7. Choose any direction and walk for 25 to 50 paces.
Saw this a mile off, and the 49th step brought me right in front of it.
8. Continue walking until you see an unusual colour, shape or texture. Turn 180 degrees.
Rock with character.
9. Keep walking in any direction until you see an archway or an unusual architectural feature.
I barely walked three steps to this. China is thick with temples, and doorways like this hover at the periphery of every eye.
10. Head for home, but continue looking for something that catches your eye.
A day so hot that the camera meanders automatically towards the ice-cream stall...
11. Take a photograph of yourself in front of that something unusual!
...and satiety is captured and relished in the shade of a pagoda.