My Bus Ride Home on #117

The TV is playing Mr. Bean and Chinese soap operas, note the PDA couple behind me -

Say No To Drugs

Say No To Drugs
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

RBT Haidian Qu; Beijing, China

These "Black" Toys - not so Toyish

hepingjie bie kou; beijing, china

It is still uncommon to see African or Black people in china - much less in beijing- unless you are in Sanlitun/Embassy Area or a tourist area. So most regular beijingers only see images of Africans and Blacks from American TV shows - hmmm and we all know that the images usually involve them either singing, killing, doing drugs, dancing, or acting like complete clowns.
This store sells "love" things - like cutsey teddy bears and fun toys. Interesting to see that it's only these two "reggae" colored charicatures who are dancing and smoking reefers - and oh yes singing "row-row-row your boat."

This is Not a Crowded Bus

This is Not a Crowded Bus
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

Bus #302; Beijing, China

12pm
I am shoulder to shoulder and there is no space to move - but this is still not crowded. Crowded starts at 5pm - where you are nostril to nostril.
Crowded is when you have to prepare 2 stops ahead of your stop to get off the bus. Crowded is when you can't move your elbows to even make room - you just have to keep pushing and squeezing to get through. Crowded is when you can feel 5 people's hot breath against your neck and face. Crowded is when you feel your lungs being squeezed dry. Crowded is when you feel someone's wallet contents being pressed against you.
the fact that I can even lift my elbow right now to take this picture definitely means this is now crowded.