So, I’ve been in Beijing for almost a week and I feel like I have walked a hundred miles around the city’s streets exploring this fascinating and intriguing place! I am off to the Great Wall for a few days of hiking tomorrow, so, before I leave and then return to Beijing town, here are some observations and reasons why I love ‘Beijingers’ and their approach to life(and some that are not so lovely!):
…..THEY.....
waltz together in the park,
walk the streets during the day in their silk and nylon pyjamas,
risk their lives crossing the road,
use the roads as pavements,
drive like no-one else exists (but manage somehow to cater for everyone else doing exactly the same),
older men – and some younger ones too - spit on the street as they walk,
they……
smoke incessantly,
spend time and eat together,
play and watch card- and Mahjong-games laid out on old newspaper in the street,
hold hands and walk by the lakes,
chatter, haggle and barter all day long,
trade,
reject rules and regulations in favour of an autonomous existence, whilst deferring to the obvious face of authority, if required;
they work hard,
push in queues,
live shoulder to shoulder,
stare (and accept you will stare back),
quarrel and sleep in public,
cycle everywhere,
defy smog so thick that sometimes you can’t see more than a hundred metres ahead,
shop with fervour,
consume,
demand,
produce,
create
and build……
It is quite a list and growing!
