2006-04-13 - 3:34 p.m.

Okay, hands up- who missed me? I can feel the love comin through the Chinese Internet, snakin it's way past the hordes of diligent censors. I hear they employ actual people to censor the internet. Enough talk about that.
Spring came and went in Shanghai. It was so nice and pretty for about 2 days. Then the clouds came. Then the rain. Now the cold. I was in denial about it. I wore t-shirts and even short skirts-nevermind I am so pale I glow, but that's very fashionable here. Everything is fashionable here. Pajamas at 3 pm are fashionable here. Anyway, I refused to wear a coat out of the house. It's April, China!!!Wake up! I should not need any winter things. I caved in this morning and wore a coat. I give the sky the evil eye several times a day...
I bought a bicycle! I get to join the Critical Mass of Bicycle Riders on the Super Unsafe (Especially for Pedestrians and Bicyclists) Shanghai Roadways. My bicycle is purple. My helmet is blue with yellow stars. Of the millions of people who ride bikes here, I am one of probably 20 who wear a helmet. I see lots of foreigners on bicycles, but few of them wear helmets. And the Chinese seemed to learn how to maneuver through the city streets at such an early age they don't need helmets I suppose. It's terrifying. I rode my bike to school twice. I almost got hit about 15 times in the 20 minute ride. Not by cars, but by other bicycles. My bike doesn't have a horn or a bell. I feel left out. These little horns and bells are quite useful. They are the only reason that I didn't get hit. If someone was behind me, and they wanted to go around me, they honked their little horn or rang their bell. When this happened, I did one of those super-quick head turns (like you do when you are driving and trying to change lanes )and assessed the situation.Then I got the hell out of the way. There have been several occasions when I deserately needed a bell or a horn because I wanted to pass someone, and I almost yelled, but I don't think it would have worked. They would probably just think I was a crazy person. I should get a horn. Riding on the streets here (especially at rush hour) is like being in one of the bike races you see on tv. Except there's no finish line, nobody gives you water from the side oft the street, and there is definitely no prize when you get to where you are going. But it is just as exciting. I will try to post pictures later of my bicycle.

?lt;/P>

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