A Very Scary Journey

So driving in China is different than anything I have ever experiences. It is New York traffic to the 100th power. I have noticed lanes mean nothing and are more of a guideline than a rule. Sometimes that is even the case with stop lights as well. Buses, taxis, car, motor bikes, and bikes all use the same roads and many times are all trying to cross at the same intersections at the same times. Needless to say this creates quite a traffic headach.

Up to this point I have avoided being in control of any of the vehicles on the street. I have riden in many a buses, but sat towards the back and looked out the window to avoid witnessing the 100 near accidents that happen an hour. I have also walked on the same roads with these vehicles as on campus there is a blurred line between roads and side walks. I have experienced nearing being run over by a bike, motor bike or car almost every time I cross a street and had to be yanked out of the way of a car earlier today.

Today my position in this crazy vehicle world changed. I am now a proud owner of a street bike. Her name is Jaunita. She was purchased down a dark alley in a fish market. She is a silver beauty with a gray basket and a nice rack on the back. Our first journey together was one of the scariest adventures of my life. The group I went bike shopping with split up so Tyler and I were the only ones who came back together. As we joined the mass of fellow bikers we decided our strategy would be to stay in the middle of other bikers as to protect ourselves from the larger vehicles on the streets. As we traveled home from the smelly, back ally fish market, we wove through other bikers on our rickety new vehicles. At one point Tyler informed me "We are riding through traffic in China on bicycles over a bridge. I would take your picture right now if I wasn't scared." Luckily we eventually made it back to the dorm safely and in one piece.

I feel like that first journey help me get up the courage to brave riding all around this huge city. I thoroughly enjoyed myself on the ride to dinner and have now found much happiness in riding Jaunita whereever I may go.