You’re probably thinking that’s a bit dramatic and wondering what it’s all about. Having a scooter is sweet but the lack of traffic rules can make one bitter at times. And school isn’t exactly Hell although there are some unruly Grade 1 students that appear to hail from such a place.
Ready to ride
Anyway I’ve been thinking about this project for a while wanting to give you a real sense of what my daily life is like here in China. Thanks to Margaurita’s camerawork, a couple of downloaded songs, some not so easy editing on a Chinese language computer and frustratingly low-bandwidth proxy server connections here it is. A POV video of the scooter ride from my apartment to parking in the basement at school.
Fantastic guy! Though I have to say that the person who appears to break most of the traffic rules would be …. uh…. you… ref. pavement driving section with startled Communist leaping to safety… just saying…
Some near misses there Guy
Nice timing on the tunes.
Cool video, Rory! Not sure why you spent so much time on the pedestrian walkway, but I’m sure you had your reasons. Actually having visited Bangkok, I think you’ve got it pretty easy!
Keep well
Cheers
Paul
Ummm… so scooters can go anywhere, right!? Cars have to stay in the area with big lanes. But it’s also cool if they drive in the ‘scooter lane’. Pedestrians, …well they just have to take their chances coz scooters are allowed on the pavement thing too… occasionally. Any side of the lane, any lane, will do, as long as you don’t run anybody over. Confused! But, hey, it looks a whole lot neater, cleaner, and more organized than Joburg. And I didn’t see any taxis (of the SA variety), which has to be a plus!!
Thank you… you just inspired me to buy a scooter! AWESOME!
Saw this post a little while ago and was just at a loss for words. I wasn’t sure how to take it or what to do, so after some deliberation, I am now returning to comment & request that sanity prevail.
I love the concept, the execution and the funky “day in the life to music” vibe you got going on there but really Rory, this is just irresponsible!!
There’s no age restriction on your blog and just think about all the young, impressionable would-be motocyclists out there that are going to use this video as license to just drive however & wherever they please. Could even be the start of a Chinese Jackass video series…
It was in fact a similar video entitled “driving with my monkey wrench” that sparked the the first embers of what is now a raging wildfire of disregard for SA’s rules of the road by the the current taxi industry…
This post should be taken down immediately!
Your Sincerely,
Roan “concerned citizen” Mackintosh
Hey P&D,
Just visited your blog randomly this Friday afternoon & spotted this video (sorry been away for 5 weeks)! Awesome bud, schweeet vibing!
Hope all is well that side & keep blogging!
Zubs
[...] - Bittersweet ride to Hell [...]
[...] a primary school. You may have seen some of my exploits in these previous posts classroom antics, bittersweet ride to work, staff tour to see the flowers and the day we got beer at lunch. Today however I’ve [...]
[...] China like some of my students who always had smiles on their faces and made teaching a joy. My electric scooter that freed me from having to push my way onto buses. The little family run grocery store across that [...]