A majestic city, rich in human history and witnessed some nation-changing revolutions, Beijing came as an unexpected visit to me. In my travelling vehicle, again, in the cloudy winter, the road seemed so long and never-ending. What made an impression on me was there always a bicycle lane along those highways and roads. Framing my front view, were trees on the left and ride side of the road, which, I believe to be plum blossoms (minus the flower, because of winter). I can already imagine how beautiful a view it can be during spring time.
I began my walk in the evening to look for food. I ventured not too far away as the temperature already hit less than five degrees Celsius. I saw a row of shops on each side of the road, and decided to stick to the side I was walking in. Crossing to the other side seems impossible with the menacing traffic. I was almost knocked down by bicycle as I could not learn fast enough how to step off the dedicated bicycle lane!
Ironically, I had Japanese for dinner, although the food along the sidewalks looks tempting ranging from Dim Sum, steamy hot dumplings and steamed sweet potatoes. My full dinner set cost me only RMB20. It was a mixed feeling, eating Japanese food in this fast-food restaurant look-alike and with Cantonese music of the 80s, playing in the background. Suddenly, my Beijing rendezvous was quite interesting after all.
As curious as I can get, I gathered enough courage to cross the road. Thank God for the pedestrian crossing but the traffic of South Korean sedans, European compacts and occasionally, local Cherry and Japanese Hondas were not too friendly. Nevertheless, having been living in KL, the raise of an arm to stop the traffic seems like a natural thing to do. This universal language of crossing, should only be used sparingly, when out of desperation, as I think it’s quite safe to think that major cities today are well-equipped with traffic-lighted pedestrians.
The comrade-y feeling and communism worshipping somehow was still quite easily-sensed in today’s Beijing, compared to Shanghainese who look more colourful and in-trend, the people of Beijing seem proud to dress in one colour and most commonly, black. I love the sight of locals riding their bicycle as somehow, it feels very re-assuring to know that, an economy advancing so fast, is also humbled by the usage of pure human energy, just like centuries ago…
After a long evening out in the winter, I craved for a glass of wine to warm me up,
Here’s a shot to share and a sight to remember too. Thank you Zeta Bar of Beijing!
