Give Me a Toot Toot

Beijing has a population of around 20 million. As a result, there are millions of cars, millions of bicycles and motorcycles, hundreds of bus routes, and 19 subways routes (some are still under construction though). None of this is unique. What is unique about Beijing are the many types of unconventional vehicles that can be seen on the roads. I have seen cars with three wheels. I have also seen what appear to be adult tricycles with a small truck bed attached. Some of these contraptions, like the wagon/tricycle hybrid, are true feats of engineering because this vehicle can somehow carry as much as a rather large pick-up truck.

Now, keep in mind, the average resident of Beijing does not traverse the streets in the wagon bed of a tricycle. Most people drive cars (Hyundai, Mazda, Nissan, and luxury European brands are the most common), ride a bicycle, take a taxi, or use public transportation. It is only a brave minority that will battle Beijing traffic in a three wheel car. While it’s not for me, I do admire their creativity and bravery.

This is the coolest tricycle I have ever seen. 

I'm not sure if it's electric or pedal powered. I have heard that these function as unofficial taxis and will give you a ride in the seat in the covered area. I have not actually seen this happening though so, I can't say for sure if this is true or not.

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My Neighbor's Three Wheel Car. 

I bet this is great on gas and wonderful to park.

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A tricycle with a flat bed attached to it. 

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A scooter with a little cargo area. 

This is actually the vehicle for a courier service. EMS also has trucks and vans.

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A scooter with a light load. 

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An electric tricycle with a flat bed.

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An electric scooter with a wagon bed.

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Baby Got Back

During my 2.5 weeks in China, I have seen more babies’ butts than I have during the rest of my life combined. This is because Chinese babies often wear backless pants without diapers or underwear. That is, if they are wearing any pants at all. I've also seen several babies without any clothing on below the waist. But, more seem to go the backless pants/ no undergarments route.

I started researching this and found that this has to do with a form of potty training called Elimination Communication. (This is also called Natural Infant Hygiene.) Basically, this is a way to avoid diapers and to keep children clean without them. Many people here believe that diapers, especially disposable diapers, are bad. They believe that diapers are expensive, bad for the environment, cause diaper rash, etc. So, they use the very old method of Elimination Communication.

Elimination Communication involved having a caregiver communicate with a child about when the child needs to go. They do this using timing, signals, cues, and intuition. To accomplish this, a parent or other caregiver will monitor a child’s elimination routine for a few weeks without the use of diapers. Then, they will gauge how often the child goes, the time of day, and any clues (for example, a facial expression) the child gives before they go. Also, the caregiver can teach the child signals to announce they must go. The caregiver can also give signals to the child to let the child know that they are in a bathroom area.  All of this leads to the child not needing diapers. They can simply be held over a toilet (or a bush in my neighborhood) to do their business.

Now, the backless pants come into play because there is only a small window of opportunity between when a child (really, a baby) gives a signal or some other clue and when they will go. So, the backless pants are so the caregiver can get the kid to an appropriate place before the kid goes and not have to bother undressing the kid.

Although I now know why the babies in my neighborhood are half naked all of the time, nothing will erase the memory of watching a three year old squat down on the sidewalk and defecate. The really bad part was that all his mother did was slide some newspaper under him to catch it. 

Here is an example of the backless pants. 

From: Yvonnebrill.tumblr.com

Note: This is not common in my area. I have yet to see a kid with backless pants and a diaper on. I just couldn't take a picture of what I usually see because it's creepy for adults to take pictures of strangers' half naked children.

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The tools of the trade for Elimination Communication.

From: ThePottyShop.com.au

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Hello from Beijing!

We've been in China for 11 days now. So far, it has been fun and definitely a little strange. Check back for more on that in later posts.

Our apartment is very nice. It is a 2/1. So, come and visit. We have plenty of room :)

Why yes, that is a refrigerator and a wine refrigerator in the foyer.

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The apartment came fully furnished. All we bought were dishes and some linens. There is a big screen tv on the wall on the right.

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The kitchen is narrow. That explains why the fridge is by the door.

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A laundry room with a view.

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The living room - view 2

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The bathroom. Yay for a western style toilet!

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The bathroom sink, which has already established dominance over me. (That's for another post...)

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The Guest Room - Come visit!

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Our room - view 1

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Our room - view 2

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I'm making an effort to post on Mondays. So, come back next week for another post.