Street Observations

I realize I have been here longer now that many of the scenes are less shocking (at least to me).

When I see a motorcycle with 3 people, I instinctively wonder why they didn't travel with 4 or more. There are many things I would love to share, but I will keep this entry framed in street observations.

While I have referenced the different modes of transportation available, I know I have not done the subject true justice. I continue to marvel at the different types of vehicles and even more interesting different types of cargo they carry. I have witnessed bikes and wagons carrying any and all of the following at some point in time in the last month. Piles of cardboard, Styrofoam, animals (assorted to include ducks, chicken, pigs, and yes one with what appeared to be rats) , dirt, live full sized trees, firewood, paper, logs, and of course other people. One vehicle the approximate size of a regular pick up truck had at least 20 people in the back with many sitting on each others laps. I have learned that many of these people I have seen carrying unusual loads are on their way to both "swaps", and in some cases recycle centers. The swaps are designed to provide a great venue so that you may take away another's trash-much like the American yard sale without the fee.

I no longer really notice people staring at me, especially outside of the major cities.- They don't mean to be rude, they have just never seen a person of my obvious grace and magnetism in many cases. Or in the words of a very nice elementary school girl who was obviously learning English, "Look at the foreigner, his foots are so big"-Speaking of that by the way, I have been unable to find shoes my size in any store, but that's a different story.

There is definitely a difference in the street scenes in the large cites compared to the more extended areas. The more extended areas in the south are dominated by factories and the smaller cites that support them. The "communities" around the factories are littered with specialty vendors of all types. It seems in many areas the outside seating around eating places will have a big TV tuned into one of the Chinese Soap Opera-each eating place might have a different Soap on, so I guess that is how they help determine which one they eat at-

While I have mentioned the strong family connections, it is becoming more obvious how important the family, with a special significance for elders. China in the south is a very young country, and it seems interesting what the next generation will look like now that population controls or birth limits are in effect. In rural areas I have observed that children don't wear diapers-while it might be messy, I guess it does encourage quicker potty training.
Pictured above you can see one such child who was taking care of business on the side of the street-you will also see a Chinese street sweeper, and someone carrying more plants than you could fit in a pick-up in a wagon...

I had a fun exchange in my hotel last night-upon returning from work, my message light was blinking. When I called the front deskretrieveand retreive, the woman kept screaming-" no massage in room, no massage in room..." I just don't know why I keep getting strange looks from the hotel staff...my best to you all-