SIGNS OF THE TIME

Signage is something I have always enjoyed in foreign countries.  

In this particular sign for a common US soft drink you will have to notice the fine print.

For some reason this just struck me as odd.

I liked the choice of word for "pediatric," or "child"

Now this is perfectly clear.

This was my and Mom's favorite hang out.

This was unmistakable.  However I had to do it to get a picture.

I was sorry I asked.

Anyone know what that word means?

I tried my best to obey the warning.

I'm not sure if you have to be all five.  I only qualified on 4 levels so I passed it up.

PART TWO OF THE PREVIOUS BLOG .... be sure to read it. I'm spending all day waiting for these to upload and want to know if it's worth it.

This woman has a reason to take a break.  What is her job?  She sweeps the Great Wall of China!  Now that's a lot of sweeping!!

This little doll is all dressed up with no place to go.

Shave and a haircut ,,, two bits .... and no takers.

Now that's a bowl.  Won't exactly fit in the kitchen sink.

Business is slow for this lady also.  A common complaint.

I love a good face.

This face has seen some life.

This little girl has no qualms about taking her bath in the street, while Dad is still able to keep an eye on business

This puts a new face on the doorman.

Jumping steps keeps this little girl entertained while parents are selling their wares on the street.  What, no video games?

The woman with this great face is trying to collect empty plastic water bottles from people as they pass by.  There's always a way to make a few more pennies.

This fellow is on his way to work inside the ancient walls of Pingyow.

This little guy looks like he is on his way to Cub Scouts.

We were told that everone knows what is in the closet of everyone else.  This is the reason why.

Usually the lines are hanging outside their high-rise apartment buildings.  Notice the Chinese graffiti.  It happens everywhere in the world.

This is rice patty we hear so much about.  Looks like back-breaking work to me.

This is the "good side of town."

This is what you pass as you disembark your luxurious cruiseliner.  More guilt ....

A rare small vehicle with 4 wheels instead of 3.

Look down the street at what is coming our way.

Now this is a full load!  I don't think they read the story of the three little pigs, or these would be bricks in the bed of his "truck."

They qualify for the "pool lane."

She could use a little help on the uphill run.

We hitch a ride any way we can.

I think this is a roadside breakdown.

Have you ever forgotten you left a little something on the roof of your car?

AND LIFE GOES ON IN CHINA ... WHILE FRUSTRATIONS GATHER AT HOME.

I have been having so much trouble uploading pictures.  Memzie suggested photobucket, but alas I have been unsuccessful in applying that system.  I guess I am just a hopeless photographic blogging failure.  But once in awhile I manage to get some small pictures on, even though they may not be the entire group I had planned.  Such is the case here, but I figured I better go with what I have or lose them once more.  So, here you have it.  This is a modge-podge of "Life in China" which I found facinating and spent quite a bit of time documenting. I want to remember this part of the world for all it's beauties and it's difficulties.  I will be attempting to do a series of these before I get to the tourist attractions and national treasures.  Those are easy to remember and will last in my mind longer than these visions of life if I don't get them recorded more quickly.  If you want to see larger pictures, just click on the picture you want to see.

I'm still facinated by the transportation these people use and get by with on a daily basis.

Notice the difference in the background vehicle and the foreground vehicle.  This is the difference between big business and small business.

This guy feels grateful to have hauling ability.

This guy has covered hauling ability.  This is a real step up!

Here is a prime example of the diversity in China.  Some say the big guy has the right of way, but the little guy has manuverability.

This woman is her own "hauling" vehicle.  Nothing like putting your shoulders to the wheel.

Oops ... more potty-training in progress.

This guy was hauling you-know-who, and you-know-who was really wishing she had lost a few pounds before taking this mode of transportaion.  He has a partner on the back end and is just taking a breather from carrying a hefty load on his shoulders, up hill.  He was a mighty good sport, as well as the little old lady on the backside.  How's that for guilt!?

This isn't a scene you see everyday.  A jaywalker with a load of hay in busy downtown.

Some must push and some must pull.  A little putt-putt would come in handy right here.

The lady on the right is contemplating her load in life.  It isn't easy.  The baby on the left seems unaffected.

This is a common scene in town squares.  This fellow is selling something besides kumquats.  Lottery tickets, I presume.

While these fellows are enjoying a lively game of something that is very popular among the men in this country.  Once in awhile you see the women playing as well, but men seem to have more time on their hands.

This fellow is finding business a little slow and has passed on the game for the chance of a quick nap.

These hard working cab drivers are riding off in the sunset together.