For my mom...

This blog comes after a special request from my mom (sure, you can make requests!) She wanted to see some pics from where I live so I'm going to include those. Also, I wanted to let you all know that I got a bike! I haven't ventured off campus yet because I'm a scaredy-cat but I've been practicing on campus. :) One of my Chinese friend's friend was selling hers and it was such a good deal, I couldn't pass it up! I bought it for 70 Yuan, which is less than $10 USD, and she even included the basket and a lock! :) I bought a second lock to go with the first because stealing bikes is quite a common practice in China... When I bought the bike there were 3 Chinese girls there helping me...we put air in the tires and then they had me do a practice run. As I was riding and practically hitting myself in the face with my knees, I mentioned that maybe the seat should go up. So, they took me to a "bike guy" who could help with this and they told him I wanted the seat up. Eventually we got it moved to the height that I thought was appropriate but apparently in China they ride a lot lower to the ground than in the U.S. because the 3 Chinese girls thought this was way too high and unsafe for me! I continued to say that it was okay but before I knew it they were speaking to the bike guy and he was lowering the seat...ha! That is when I lost any sort of control of the situation and had to give in...guess I'll stand out enough being the white girl on a bike, at least I can blend in a bit riding low to the ground.
Here's my "new" bike...nice, huh? Notice how there is even a little rack on the back where someone can sit as I pedal...a very common thing to see in China!


The area where I live in Tianjin is called the "Foreign Concessions." When foreigners were first allowed to live in China they had to live in a certain part of town, which is where the name Foreign Concessions comes from. So, many of the buildings around me are very European-style. It's a bit weird to walk down the street because it doesn't really feel like China! It is a very nice area, though.
The following picture is of the front of the building where I live...


This next picture is the building you see when you walk through the gates of campus...


I tried to get a good picture of a typical China street....one where the hundreds of bikes are lined up next to the cars, ready to go when the light turns green....but was out at the wrong time of day! I'll try again soon.
What they say about China is true...if you are outside of your apartment, you are never alone! I snapped some of these pictures on the way to Starbucks and I almost took one of a white guy I saw walking along, too, because it's so rare! I guess it's not that rare for all of you. :) I hope that you enjoyed these pictures - let me know if there is anything else you are curious about!