Spring in Bloom

The last two weeks have been very beautiful with all the trees and flowers blooming. Currently, a layer of tree stuff (cotton) blankets the ground like a light spring snow. My apartment has also been quite pleasant with windows open 24/7 and a light breeze wandering about.

Street BBQ 

This is a street vendor who sells popcorn! I will get a video of the process and upload it. But basically they use the pressure gauge to tell when the corn is ready and they let it explode into this giant basket.  

Taxi Driver Chats

Did you know a car is sold in China every 2.3 seconds? Well, that is what I learned from Top Gear last season. I also learned that some people think Chinese made cars will dominate the market in 5 years.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to enjoy a taxi ride with a driver who loved cars. We spent the entire trip chatting about prices in China vs. America and what countries made the best cars. We both agreed Germany was pretty stellar.

When I told him that some people believed China would be making most of the cars in 5 years he just laughed. I'm sure one day, it will be the case but the country has such a short history with cars, it is a bit presumptuous to imagine they would possess the experience and expertise to dominate the market at this time.

Though the history of cars in China deserves a full report (it really is quite fascinating) I will simply leave you with one more tidbit: Initially, the lanes were arranged in the fashion  of Britain/ Japan where you drove on the left side of the road. However, that changed during WWII when under American persuasion the driving side was switched with the expectation that it would aid American Drivers and reduce accident rates in the war effort. Though, if I recall correctly, the change didn't occur until after completion of the war.