<p class="ql-block"><b>My Beloved Hometown</b></p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">My hometown is a small city in western Henan Province. Founded in the late 1950s due to the construction of the first hydropower station on the Yellow River, it gathered builders from all over the country. As a result, this immigrant city is home to various distinctive dialects, with Mandarin being the most commonly used.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Born in the 1960s, we grew up here and witnessed the city's development and earth-shaking changes over decades. I will never forget the tough years when our parents and elders worked arduously for the motherland and hometown. Most of them have now passed away, but the tradition of hard work and the long-standing historical culture continue to be inherited.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Today, the city boasts extraordinarily beautiful scenery. In spring, flowers compete in splendor, full of vitality. Summer brings lush greenery and refreshing coolness. Autumn carpets the ground with golden leaves and falling petals. Winter wraps the world in crystal-clear snow, while swans gracefully soar. I love this small city with distinct seasons and this beautiful water town in northern China. Located in the Central Plains, it nurtures a rich and time-honored history. The Yellow River has flowed for generations, shaping the forthright, simple, and tender character of its people.</p><p class="ql-block"> </p><p class="ql-block">Strolling through every corner of the city, I capture touching scenes with my camera, freezing beautiful moments and preserving good memories. There are too many unforgettable moments to fully describe, so I can only share a glimpse with friends far away. You are also warmly welcome to visit my hometown, Sanmenxia!</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block">These photos are specially printed for my </p><p class="ql-block">Eritrean <span style="font-size:18px;">friends in Asmara.</span></p><p class="ql-block"> ——Your sincere friend Sophie </p><p class="ql-block"> 2025.6.4</p> <p class="ql-block"> 我可爱的家乡</p><p class="ql-block"><br></p><p class="ql-block"> 我的家乡是一座豫西小城，上世纪五十年代末，它因黄河第一座水电站而兴，汇聚了来自全国四面八方的建设者，所以这所移民小城集聚了各具特色的多种方言，普通话最通用。</p><p class="ql-block">作为六零后的我们，生于斯长于斯，个人成长的历程中见证了城市的发展，和数十年间翻天覆地的变化。难忘艰难的岁月，父母长辈为祖国为家乡发展付出了艰辛努力，如今他们大多已作古，但艰苦奋斗的传统和悠久历史文化仍在传承。</p><p class="ql-block">今天的小城景色分外宜人。春天百花争艳，生机盎然。夏季绿色葱茏，清爽怡人。秋来金黄满树，落红遍野。冬至白雪晶莹，天鹅翩飞。我爱这四季鲜明的小城，我爱这北方秀丽的水城，地处中原，它孕育了丰厚的悠悠历史，黄河水世世代代流淌，滋润了黄河儿女坦荡质朴又柔情似水的性格。</p><p class="ql-block">漫步小城的各个角落，随手拍下动人的景色，定格美丽的瞬间，留存下美好的记忆。太多难忘的时刻，仅能撷取有限的篇幅，分享给远方的朋友，也欢迎您来小城三门峡看看！</p>