Beijing City Streets

Truck loaded, driver ready, tire missing - working hard in Beijing. I love this City.

Squat toilets - how we done for eons. WAY more comfortable than you'd think, and better for your back. This model includes elevated tank complete with flush cord.

Just across the market was this storefront with all kinds of meat (vegetables in the next window, too). At least one of these meats is sliced pig ears. Yum.

This bustling hutong boasted among least expensive markets I've ever seen - including knock-offs, foods, household goods, trinkets, & all.

Just outside this hutong, as in many, any reUSEables & recylcbles are centrally collected. I can't say it matches SF's rate of 72% trash diversion, but I wish..


Most striking was that construction did not appear abated. I can't imagine what a non-recession period looks like here.


In between eras, the next generation will always make do.


Hutongs in development; from narrow, windy streets to straight open avenues and modern high-rises. Chinese character for 'demolish'.

Hutongs are the old-style neighborhoods or streets in China, most of which are now being demolished & replaced with what you see above.

24 May 2009 - Having lived in NYC, Jersey's 'Shore' (no one who lives there calls it that), and now San Francisco I think I've picked up a good idea of what the prototypical tourist does - and more importantly, doesn't do. One thing they don't usually do is explore the nethers of a city; that is the not so major attractions, historic neighborhoods, or the residential sections. So with guidance from my intrepid host and 2 friends, we ventured through some of the city's streets.