Sonny and I are working on our Tibet and Mongolia blogs (unfortunately running into hiccups getting photos uploaded). But while we keep you waiting for our latest travel updates, I thought I'd take a minute to paint a picture of the local summer landscape here in Beijing.
If you don't know already, although Beijing is moving at lightning speed to global modernization, the locals in Beijing have a ways to go still in the areas of hygiene. If you've been following my blog, you've already seen the squat toilets with NO toilet paper, soap, or running water to wash hands. You've probably also heard me talk about the toddlers who walk around in split pants and literally go to the bathroom whenever and wherever they desire....subway cars included, people!
But on the lighter side of the SHoCKING local culture and mannerisms lies what I've been calling the "Beijing Belly". It emerges as soon as the weather turns hot and humid, and when the wind ceases to cool anything off. The men of Beijing of all shapes and sizes see it fit to roll up their shirts to fully expose their "washboard abs". Corporate office types and construction laborers alike find it perfectly appropriate to walk around with their bellies exposed for all to see. Short, tall, fat, thin, in shape, or not, anything goes when the men of Beijing just need to cool themselves off.
I was amused to find our English newspaper in China, China Daily, has coined the same term for my summertime discovery here in Beijing. See the video link here for their story on Beijing Bellies.
So folks, next time you're a little overheated and need a quick and practical way to cool off, just roll that shirt up and be proud of the tummy God gave you...or think at least think about it anyway.
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