 |
 |
| The convenience
store lives up to its name and provides a chair for the weary
shopper to enjoy a cool drink. |
Bob speculates
where some of the less recognizable eggs originated. There are
all colors and sizes. |
 |
| The
bowl of water provides hand washing facilities as well as a way
to locate leaks in bicycle innertubes. |
 |
| Across
the street, the roadside cafe serves bowls of steaming soup and
dumplings. |
 |
| The
vegetable store is colorful and the produce is fresh |
 |
The
competition across the street is also doing good business.
There are no stains on the walls to suggest that they throw
over-ripe tomatoes at each other in spite of the close
competition. |
 |
| A
youngster is parked while his Mother does a little shopping. |
 |
 |
| Several food
sellers sell their stuffed pancakes, vegetable and meat rolls
and other delicacies along the wall of the alley. |
This shoe repairer
is happy to see us . I have had a previous 'conversation' with
her about how she is able to get a cap from Canon when I have
bought $25,000+ of their photographic equipment and can't get
one... |
 |
Bob
is interested in the mechanics of her shoe sewing machine.
He gets as much useful information about it is as I did about the
origins of the hat - but somehow we all have fun. |
 |
| The
alley ends in a busy street that runs alongside the third of
Beijing's Ring Roads that run around the center of the city. |
 . |
| A bicycle repair facility takes
advantage of passing trade. |
 |
 |
Next
to the 'bicycle repair facility' is a newly constructed
building.
It's gilded and wrought-iron exterior is in sharp contrast to
the surrounding buildings. |
 |
| The
marble lobby is serene and luxurious... |
 |
| ...
in contrast to life right outside. |
 |
| But I
am sure that the residents are glad of the convenience of the
local general store.... |
|
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