I Get Around

Go, dogs. Go!

Go on skates or go by bike.

Go by foot- run, skip, or hike!

Go by scooter! Go by skis- bundle up so you don’t freeze.

Go by blimp, by boat, by car. Go, dogs. Go! It’s not too far!

In case you don’t know, that’s a quote from one of my first favorite books, “Go Dog, Go!” I often repeat this in my mind as we travel around Beijing. Here’s why:

My family and I use many means of transportation. In a country where it’s just not that convenient to have a car, we sometimes have to get creative when it comes to how we get around. I mean, I am really good at driving the Little Tykes car that I had when we lived in Milwaukee, but somehow I don’t think I would get too far here.

The main way my family gets from here to there is by zi xing che. Mommy detests hers and even convinced Daddy that she didn’t need one for the first 2 weeks we were here. BUT since it’s free to ride a bike, and faster than walking she had to give in. By the way, I LOVE IT!!!! I have my own seat on the back of Mom’s bike. I hold on to my little handle bars and always say “Go fast, Mommy.” and “Race, Daddy!” What is really funny is when Mom wears a button down sweater and it flies our behind her. The other day I let it flap over my head like a cape! I was laughing so hard! Weston rides on Daddy’s back in a backpack while he bikes. At first Mom was not big on this idea. But so far it is working out well. Wes sometimes falls asleep while he is in there so it can’t be that bad. We both like to look around at all the buses and other bikes while we are riding.

 

Side story: So the other day I was riding on the back of the bike while Daddy was driving. I started hitting his back and saying “Stop Daddy! Stop Daddy!!” He pulled over and asked me what was wrong in a very concerned voice. I turned around and looked at the traffic light and said “It’s red, Daddy.” … Jeepers, I was just looking out for our safety!!

Mommy says she thinks walking is best. I don’t mind it usually because I sometimes get to run ahead if Weston is in the stroller by himself. Often I will turn around and run back to Daddy and say “Watch out for bikes and cars, Daddy.” Then I hold his hand because I sure don’t want to get run over!  I don’t mind  riding in the stroller either, because then I can have a rest. My favorite times are when Wes and I get to ride in there together. I “take care” of him by craning my head around his and saying “Hi Weston” (only a few…ok maybe a few more than a few… times in a row) and sometimes taking off his hat. I am a really good big brother!!

Every once in awhile I get to ride in a taxi. CABS ARE HERE!!!!! The driver is usually a nice man who doesn’t understand a word of what I am saying, but likes to laugh anyway. I am a funny guy though, so who wouldn’t? My whole family gets to ride in the back together. I like this better than when we drove our car in the States because I can have Mom and Dad’s full attention. I like that, in case you didn’t know…. Cab drivers usually don’t drive as politely as most people in the Midwest, but that’s fine with me! That just means they honk even more than Mommy did in Milwaukee! … The other night while we were riding home we were singing Jesus Loves the Little Children. The driver was tapping his hand along to the beat. Maybe the words reached his heart!! :)

I saved the best for last---- the subway!!! I really, really, really like to ride on the subway train, as I call it. My family has two subway stations that are near our house. It is less than a 10 minute bike ride to either one. There are SO many subways lines in Beijing. We can get pretty close to anywhere in the city by riding on them. Most of them are underground but one of them that’s near our house is an elevated train. I like to ride on either kind. The people here are very kind and most of the time someone gets up to give me and Mommy seats. Then I get to play cars or just make new friends. Sometimes the trains are pretty crowded but during the day, when Weston and I travel with Mom and Dad, they usually aren’t too bad. 

By the way- Wes and I are Really good at holding on on the subway train!

Here's a video I wanted to share. The subway doesn't usually look like this, but on National Holiday there were a lot of people in Beijing who wanted to go places. 

Well that's about all I can tell you about how I get around. Soon I want to tell you about all the foods that I like to eat (and some that I don't really like to eat) so be on the lookout for that blog!