Cars and bikes

I guess it's because I'm a red-blooded American, but I'm fascinated by the kinds of cars on the roads in Beijing.

Most of them I do not recognize, and I'd tell you the names, but they're in Chinese (duh). There are a few I easily recognize like Mitsubishi Monteros. We used to have one. They probably have a pretty big carbon footprint if they smoked like ours did as it got older.

After Chinese cars, I'd say European cars have the most market share. BMWs, Porsches, lots of Audis, haven't really seen many Mercedes.

American cars I've seen have included one Ford, no Chevys, 2 Cadillacs (!!), and can you believe it, a ton of Buicks, of all things. Vans and sedans - mainly Lacrosses. Buicks. I would never bet on that. Whoever that Buick salesman is, I'd like to meet him.

And since I own a bike and actually used to ride one, I notice them too.

All have fenders, most have bells, some have little motors and all are pedalled by the bravest cyclists I've ever seen. In and out of traffic they go - staring straight ahead, oblivous to the honks and stupid pedestrians (like me) that step right out in front of them.

Some have little platforms on the back where girlfriends or kids sit side saddle. Some have great big platforms on the back where all imaginable types of goods are piled precariously. Some have two back wheels for elderly parents. Some have roofs and even full enclosures.

I was told that this is all fascinating to me because I hadn't travelled much in the Third World. I really don't consider Beijing a third world kind of place, though. With KFC, Mickie D's, Subways, Nike stores and all the rest, how could it be?

I didn't say that I didn't choose to travel to the third world, thank you very much, but maybe I should!