labor of love

In this series, I’m showcasing a contemporary slice of life in the bustling city of China's capital. It's a photo-chronicle of a tiny Chinese mantou -steamed buns-shop in the heart of Beijing that is always teeming with life. Regardless of the season, it always has a big crowd of people who would line up for hours, if necessary, in anticipation of the fresh, fluffy buns that are about to emerge from the steamers. Mantou is a simple mixture of flour, water and yeast for less than a dollar per piece. Workers move quickly, transferring the buns from the steamers into plastic bags within seconds. As the steaming trays cloud the air, the cloud-like buns disappear from the counter just as fast. The constant bustle inside the shop is captivating to witness.