Shopping - fluidity

Overwhelming -- when I hit the mall my local guide recommended. Floors named "happy" meant food and "dreaming" was the movie theater. I found the "elegant" floor more my style. Than to the tourist "Pearl Market" to try my hand at bargaining. While not as agressive as the Egyptian vendors. With the "here lady" and litterly vendors tugging my arm - I decided bargain shopping wasn't for me today, plus I've no room in my suitcase yet. Need to shed more clothes first. Peking duck dinner on the docket for tonight. And early rise for the Great Wall. I know I'm going to have to wear every layer I've got.



I decided today that there is just a fluidity to this city. Traffic appears to move at ease. People never really wait for crosswalk signals. Bikes and cars reside in such harmony together. Its assumed that left hand turns happen before the oncoming traffic does at green lights. People are on the move, you don't see people sitting unless in a restaurant. The giant buildings (most the base size of our downtown skyscrapers, but only half as tall) seem to break that flow. While people honk occasionally there is now verbal or physical demonstration of anger or frustration. These are a calm gentle people, rarely talking or smiling. Women do walk arm or hand in hand. This fluidity has brought a nice calm to me - realizing how I'm always planning with my thoughts or actions. No one is hurried - no running, or even quick walking. The flow of people here is worthy of admiration.