Razed Part 2

Razed Part 2
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Razed Part 2

Sanlitun Nan Lu; Beijing, China

i had to stop taking pictures when this guy started walking towards me. There was no one else around, so I put my camera down and started walking away. He was walking back towards his makeshift car house. I wonder if his apt was torn down?

Razed Part 3

Razed Part 3
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Sanlitun Nan Lu; Beijing, China

This graffitti piece STOP is on the site of the torn down buildings. I am assuming it's referring to the unequitable razing of old apartments -or something like that. who graffed this? I was sooo happy to see this public expression of feelings and thoughts. This whole torn down area is enclosed in the wall in this pic. The building behing this wall was also just newly constructed.

In Barcelona, graf was everywhere - but it's been very difficult here to find any public art.

Razed Part 1

Razed Part 1
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Sanlitun Nan Lu; Beijing, China

This razed part of the street is one of the most common scenes in Beijing. Old apartments are being ripped down to build new high rise apts or luxury hotels. See how there is only 1 standing aprt left? The roof has already been torn off. You can see the left over rubbles of the torn down apts all over the ground. In the background there are several new building being built.

The government used to give people a new apt if they tore yours down, but now they only give you enough cash for a downpayment on a new apt. Even with the cash exchange, most people can't afford to buy an apt in the new building that is being built over their original land - so they are forced to go to the outskirts of Beijing, while the rich can buy apts in they city. So the problem is that you are forced to spend more money! Hey this sounds a lot like NYC right? Giving money instead of a new apt started a few years ago. I guess it wasn't profitable for the gvt to give away exchange your old hu tong or apt for a new one. So in effect tearing down old living quarters is driving the lending, real estate, construction and debt economy.

My Street

My Street
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

gongrentiyuchangbeilu; Beijing, China

My street - it almost looks like nyc for a sec right? except for look at all the new sidewalk work that is being done. Everywhere you go - the city it being rebuilt: sidewalks, building, lights, shopping centers. well not everywhere - they especiallly foucs on the parts where foreigners stay - like my place.

West of Tiananmen Sq.

West of Tiananmen Sq.
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

NangChangLu; Beijing, China

It's interesting to see the Pepsi Stand Cover ands poster ads amid the surrounding old Hu tong architecture.

Whoa This is a Very Intimate Ad

Whoa This is a Very Intimate Ad
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Although ads are definitely much more about sex, you don't see touching between couples as much as you see women's bodies. That's why this ad stands out - but they definitely seem to be playing on the "awkwardness" of the situation of him sitting on her. What's up these weird Intel Centrino Ads? Is this someone famous who I don't know?

Subway Entrance

Subway Entrance
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Tiananmen West

Studying My Chinese

Studying My Chinese
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Damn it - this will be my 10th attempt in this lifetime to learn how to write in Chinese. I swear to myself this time I will not quit. i've just finished a 2 hr study session with Hot Lychee Pearl Tea - ummmmmm

Ticket or Ticket Check

Ticket or Ticket Check
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

to get a subway ticket, I turn right to TICKET to pay money to a person, then I turn left to TICKET CHECK to give my ticket to a person.
I wonder when they will replace this whole process with machines. I really love handing my money to an actual person and also handing my ticket to an actual person. i don't miss nyc's metrocard machines at all.

Rush Hour every Hour

Rush Hour every Hour
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Jianguomen Transfer; Beijing, China

now imagine if you were to do a 360 - this is what it looks like after you get off every hour of the day no matter what time it is. There are a lot of people.

My Exit at Dongsishitiao

My Exit at Dongsishitiao
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

I take exit B to leave the subway station. If you get out at the wrong exit - it might take you another 10 minutes to cross the streets to your correct exit. the streets are really widea and there are just wayy to many cars, bikes and people.

Christmas Lights Babel Tower

Christmas Lights Babel Tower
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Jinkelong Supermarket - GontiBeiLu; Beijing China

now if only they had these damn directions in Chinese! French, Dutch, English, German - where's the Mandarin?

It's Christmas!

It's Christmas!
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Sogo Dpt Store; Beijing, China

they do x-mas better in Beijing than in America. Let's just say that I don't think actually understand that this is actually baby jesus's birthday. But every store in Beijing seems to love Christmas! I wonder if it's because of the important value of giving tons and tons of presents during this one day of the year. Isn't that the value that The Holy Baby Jesus of our Mother Mary taught us - to give?

Midday in China

Midday in China
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Xunwumen; Beijing, China

No Vendors

No Vendors
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

XunWumen; Beijing, China

Sometimes the streets will be filled with vendors - selling socks, chestnuts, fruit, dvd's, purses - and then that same street might be totally empty for a few hours one day. It seems that the police sometimes crackdown on vendors who don't have a liscence to sell - b.c then they don't report taxes. The problem is that most of these type of vendors don't have a liscence to live in Beijing because it's hard to get one in the first place. therefore it's almost illegal for them to even be here. to obtain official Beijinger status is actually quite difficult - up until a few years ago it was almost impossible to move here legally. now, if you have enough money you can rent or buy a house here. It's not like these vendors are avoiding to get their liscences. To have official license to live here means you have access for your kids to schools and healthcare and etc.