So, in China, there are a lot of people. This means that there are not only a lot of cars, but a lot of bikes and a lot of people walking. Everywhere. All the time. Yes, there is a significant difference in number of pedestrians at 2 am and at 5 pm, but I have yet to experience the ghost town feel (I am told that comes when the snow does).

I live about a mile from the school. The walk is not bad, but biking is faster. Thus, I bike. I have, to date, had at least 5 near-death experiences because of other bikes (after only 1 week!)... ok, maybe they weren't near-death, but they were scary.. and the scariest part? That it was other two-wheeled, man powered, 20 pound simple machines that I had my brushes with. The cars? Don't worry about them, they will stop. People? Nahhh, run 'em over. Bikes? It is a game of chicken, to the death (or at least to the swerve out into traffic). People even ignore police cars and ambulances with their lights on- big American no-no!

So here are the rules of the road I have learned so far:

1) Only worry about what you see in front of you. If they are behind you, it is their job to worry about you.

2) Ignore the horns and bells, or better yet, use your own back at them.

3) Feel free to bike the wrong way down a one-way path..unless it's rush hour.. then people will

block your path as much as possible (especially if you are a westerner), and it is a better idea (and much faster ride) to switch to the correct side of the road.

4) Bike faster than the slowest person walking. Then, you will always make it to the other side of the road.

5) If you do bike or walk the wrong way down a road, get behind a Chinese person to do so. Then they get the nasty looks, and you get to get the way cleared for you.

6) With Chinese people, there are no rules. Good luck.

Rob: "How do you feel about extreme sports?"

Me: "Like what?" (Thinking skydiving, etc (which I LOVE))

Rob: "Crossing the road"