The Back Street

The back street behind the campus I live at is amazing, so full of life and character. Virtually anything you need can be found crammed within those few 4 blocks. Need a bicycle repaired? Pants hemmed? A calculator? Live crabs? Pet hamsters? Homemade noodles? A haircut? Foot massage? Phone card? Plunger? Fresh tomatoes? Fake Nikes? Rugs? Tea? Passport photos taken? A whole duck? ATM withdrawal? You name it, the back street has it. Most of the shops are just a few feet wide, so the items inside are often found spilling out onto the street. During the day it is fairly easy to meander through, but at night, that's a whole other story.

The vendors come out and take up most of the available sidewalk space, leaving just enough room for a few people to edge through. They lay out their wares on blankets or make-shift tables, beckoning you to come look at and buy their goods. And the people! Since space is limited in China, most homes are pretty small, so people congregate and spend time outside after they get home from work in the evening. Plus, like in America, after the work day ends is when there is time to run errands and pick up food for dinner. So the streets are crowded with the shops and the shoppers and friends and families mingling after a long day.

But my favorite part about the back street at night is the clothing people wear. It doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, the fashionable style to don is pajamas. Usually two piece sets with a matching top and bottom. Women put on their high heels and flannel p.j.'s to run to the grocery store or go buy fresh cut flowers. Men wear their pajamas as they sit together playing Mah-Jong on the corner. I think they are saying, "I have the luxury of not having to work now and instead can choose to spend the evening relaxing in my pajamas." Ah, the good life.