The first night here the three of us took a long walk around the block. I'm told this is sort of a working class area. A mix of residential, commercial and government offices jumbled together. You'll pass a huge sky-scraper with broad pedestrian walkways and then a little ways down a scrappy looking house will jut way out into the sidewalk and you'll have to walk in the side street to go around. [Jian wasn't sure if this one was an illegally built addition or just pre-dates the expansion of the street and walkway]. Lots and lots of people out and about. Especially on a little stretch by the 'river'. I say river in quotes because it is a real river, but it has been channeled and boxed-in and looks more like a canal. All the people outside reminded me of reading about New York City in the 1800's or early 1900's. The houses are pretty hot and stuffy by the end of the day. With the sun down and a little breeze it feels nicer to be outside. So people are just hanging out on the stoops and sidewalks living their lives. A whole family has chairs, a little table and is playing cards on the median strip of a small street. A kid is squatting in front of a TV that is setting on the sidewalk near an open door. Grandpa, with no shirt on, is sitting on some steps and watching the people walk by. I'd read and Jian comfirmed that Beijing is a very safe place to walk with a very low crime rate.
The first night here the three of us took a long walk around the block. I'm told this is sort of a working class area. A mix of residential, commercial and government offices jumbled together. You'll pass a huge sky-scraper with broad pedestrian walkways and then a little ways down a scrappy looking house will jut way out into the sidewalk and you'll have to walk in the side street to go around. [Jian wasn't sure if this one was an illegally built addition or just pre-dates the expansion of the street and walkway]. Lots and lots of people out and about. Especially on a little stretch by the 'river'. I say river in quotes because it is a real river, but it has been channeled and boxed-in and looks more like a canal. All the people outside reminded me of reading about New York City in the 1800's or early 1900's. The houses are pretty hot and stuffy by the end of the day. With the sun down and a little breeze it feels nicer to be outside. So people are just hanging out on the stoops and sidewalks living their lives. A whole family has chairs, a little table and is playing cards on the median strip of a small street. A kid is squatting in front of a TV that is setting on the sidewalk near an open door. Grandpa, with no shirt on, is sitting on some steps and watching the people walk by. I'd read and Jian comfirmed that Beijing is a very safe place to walk with a very low crime rate.
1 comment:
Great images...love the story of your walk!
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