Passing Time

It seems unbelievable how time has passed by, a year already since my first entry into Beijing
and a new Chinese Year, the Golden Ox, has begun. During the last month there has been war
in Gaza, a rise and fall of the stock market, the financial cutbacks effecting China too and a new
American President in office.

But despite all these events, life moves on its uneventful way, each one busy with his own life, worries, health and financial issues, dating, loving and generally having fun. Through this time I have continued my fascination with the bicycle phenomena of Beijing, finding myself staring every morning at the non stop array of riders decked out in their winter woollies, vigorously riding their way along. Do those who carry an overload have to receive a licence? On the rare
occasion I have even spotted young children riding small vehicles with stabilizers on the busy street, whilst their mothers trot alongside. But what of those who are unable to fit into this category? Are their any such Beijingers? Yes, I have heard, there are. Even though it is of the
minority, there are children who do not have this built in sense of equilibrium and do not ride bikes with their peers. As for the women above the age of 40, they seem to have their own style of riding, choosing to set off with their left foot on the left pedal, raising their right over the seat as they go, quite a feat that is both admirable and fascinating to watch.

How do these children feel? Are they misfits in a society where fitting in is of the prime importance? Social pressures happen everywhere and I hear this from both adult and children
who do not quite make the fit for one reason or another. From a young age all signs of affection are stopped, both by parent and grandparent and the children grow up without any physical signs of affection, something that I find incredibly lonely and even though they think it is the
norm, can lead to all kinds of socializing difficulties.

Even though Beijing winters are dry, but cold, even so in the summer months, children are
restricted from playing any form of sport that can cause physical harm, be it football, basketball,
or anything else that may cause irreparable damage. Music is something that is encouraged though, usually more than one instrument and can in any country help a child to fit in, whether it be drums, trumpet, horn or some other kind of more unusual tool that will help the individual
feel special.

An avid viewer of American Idol, we can see in the lives of many how music or song has helped them through hard times and I myself chose the pen to help me. But it is nevertheless a society that condemns more than one child and it is astonishing to hear how in the villages a fine can be as little as 80 rmb for an extra offspring, but in the cities in the thousands, still able to result in loss of future promotion or even at times, of job. It does seem a little unfair, that if a family is willing to pay the price, they must still be penalised, it is hard for us westerners to understand.

But social life in China is always booming, for even though restaurants are geared to the middle or upper classes, even the poorest of pockets can occasionally afford a cheap and cheerful snack
from a street vendor or Chinese fast food chain. During the last month I have been wined and dined at a number of establishments and though I am limited in what I am able to eat, it has been an interesting experience.

Peking Duck at the most famous of places can be priced from anywhere between 250 rmb upward for two people, but I was taken to a place that fed 5 adults and one child, 2 ducks, stuffed rolls with meat, rice, a side dish, bottle of coke and what is known as white wine (alcohol) for just 220 rmb!! Tasty you may well ask and the answer is yes.

For all you Humus lovers though, I must point out that what is served in restaurants here is a far cry from the authentic variety that we find back home and should be avoided if you hold yourself to be a connoisseur; though one can eat at a Mediterranean restaurant extremely well for around 75 rmb. Of course hands down, the American style eateries, excluding McDonald's or
Kentucky Fried Chicken that cater more for the local palette, serve large portions for reasonable amounts.

More about the cuisine, promotion and social.. izing next time..