January 4, 2002

• My Shiny New Yellow Bike

  
  

  These past 3 days have gone by really fast.  I've been really busy with shit, and now, to those who are coming to SH, I've finally found a place that I like and am going to rent (guys, when you come you'll finally be able crash at my place!).  My address will change, so those who will be writing me, be sure to ask me for an update (I've only received 1 piece of snail-mail since I've come, sniff).

  
  

  I'm renting a place with Ryuma, it's a two bedroom, I'm actually waiting to go sign the contract as I write to you.  Rent is 2,500 RMB per month between the both of us which works out to a little more than what we currently pay, but I finally get a bathtub and a working showerhead (working? what do I mean working "A" showerhead), and a toilet where I won't have to crouch to take a shit.  (Man have I got a picture to show you!)

  
  

  Living off campus has given me the realization that I will need a bike, so today, I finally got a bike.  I've been putting it off as long as I can, but slowly, society here is pulling me in.  First the bug infested dorms, then the crouching toilets and now the bright yellow bike.

  
  

  The bicycle is the choice for mode of transportation here for many many many many many people.  It's funny because I mentioned telling you about my best friend's ride here, and here his ride is his bike.  There's a passenger seat on all bicycles here(actually, it is just a metal bracket that you sit on behind the seat) and people double up and ride all the time.  Until today, I've been the passenger for many, letting others do all the work, but today, much to my dismay, I've had to buy a bike.

  
  

  So far, it's cut my day by about 1/3 and I save time by travelling by wheels.  But what does that really work out to if this bike is going to cause me to crash into an oncoming truck?

  • 6:02 am
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