While stopped at a rather long traffic light at a busy intersection we noticed a group of about 20 or so men digging in the dirt (a la Holes) with what looked like garden variety shovels. One of the men in our group commented that in the States we'd have a big old backhoe loader making quick work of that job. But that one tractor would be replacing all those individuals. Maybe those men didn't see their digging efforts as outdated, but instead felt happy to have that job.
Saw a shiny new Mercedes sedan, stuck in the slow moving rush hour traffic, being passed by rusty bicycles.
The Starbucks in the 5 storey modern shopping mall down the road from our hotel seemed perfectly normal, almost expected. Yet this one just a few blocks from the ancient Hutong and Drum Tower made me feel a bit sad.
2 comments:
Thanks for the great pictures and for sharing your journey. You have a great perspective on things! You guys look like you're making the most of it all. Love ya!
As always, you have the proper perspective of things, Yvette. You've traveled enough to know that often, new things must be observed from the perspective of the other person and not from our own. Not only would the backhoe eliminate jobs, but it would also add to pollution.
As I write this, it is 9:30 pm in Beijing, the evening before Mother's Day. You probably won't get much rest tonight, thinking about your exciting day tomorrow. What a wonderful Mother's Day you will have.
The Mother's Day cards that you and Alex mailed arrived yesterday. Needless to say, your mother was delighted. Your card had us both laughing, remembering that very special Mother's Day so many, many years ago when we drove to Charlottesville! We talk about that every year, and your card evoked many funny and poignant memories. Thank you for remembering.
Love, Dad
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