Beijing and beyond

Beijing fleeting impressions: The preponderance of scooter drivers, without helmets, reminds me of Nigeria. The chaotic traffic is much the same too - there's just a lot more of it. But the local Chinese appear more respectful and less vocal than the Italian-like bantering Nigerians.

The late summer evenings are sultry and warm. The fog (trying to be optimistic here, but I do really suspect it is smog) is so thick you can look directly at the sun - a small tight orange ball. The housing is dense, but the city is greener than I expected. Smoking is prevalent and the definition of a non-smoking room is stretched - a lot.

Transport varies from hooting cars to scooters and bicycles.