We had one goal today, and that was to get warm clothes. After a couple of days in these temperatures we are starting to know what clothes work and what don’t. One of the largest malls in this part of Beijing is a 35 minute walk away, but with a baby to carry, we took the subway.
Heading out into the compound, still covered in snow. It always amazes me how many cars are here. You’d never know there was a vast underground carpark that was also full.
I made an offhand comment that the Subway felt like it took longer than it used to. It turns out it was taking longer. There are speed restrictions in place after a crash earlier in the week. Two subway trains collided after snow and ice made it difficult for one of them to stop. I don’t know why I picked up on the subway taking longer than normal. Have I now developed a sense of what “normal” is here?
A journey on the Beijing Metro. A look back along the platform. Early on a weeday afternoon it isn’t busy.
I’m always surprised at how many bikes and scooters get left outside the malls and the stations. The storage racks are always full day and night. Many of the bikes look as though they haven’t seen use in a while. I can’t imagine using my bike that way, where I cycle somewhere and then forget about it.
Bikes and scooters parked outside the mall are still covered in snow.
Inside the mall we found Christmas of sorts. We didn’t get a tree this year and we notice these displays more than we would otherwise. My son asked where we’d put the presents if we didn’t have a tree. This is our first Christmas away since we had children and we didn’t plan anything. I expect we are going to have to make more of an effort next time we do this.
Christmas at Livat, Beijing