Portrait of an LBX

This will be the last of the Panjiayuan antique market shots. This woman occupies one of the small, indoor shops that surround the outdoor Panjiayuan market.

A woman selling “antique” trinkets at the Panjiayuan antique market in Beijing. The market used to be full of antiques, but now is mostly knock-offs. I’m told you can still find the occasional treasure, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t know what to look for, and the vendors aren’t about to tell me.

A conversation between two men at the Panjiayuan antique market over the weekend.

Despite our intentions to find the joy and dignity in life, our discoveries would carry less meaning were they to lack proper context. For most LBXes, life is hard. A casual observer will likely witness only the hardship. Our guiding mission is to dig deeper. Nevertheless, there is beauty in adversity, and the challenges we face and overcome are an integral part of what makes us human.

The man here is a worker at the Panjiayuan antique market in Beijing, where I spent some time this weekend. From what I could tell, he spends his time hauling heavy things back and forth on a tricycle cart, but unfortunately I didn’t get to spend any time with him.

I’ll be posting shots from the market throughout the week.