Working Hard or Hardly Working?

So my neighborhood has a playground that is made for both adults and children. Included is a standard playset, but in addition to this there are also "exercise machines" in bright colors. These are also prevalent in Beijing parks, and you usually see playgrounds of this type in many other open areas. Chinese adults of a variety of ages use the blue, yellow and red machines to "exercise". I use the word exercise in quotations because I really do not see how a real workout can be achieved using the machines. There is one in our complex that is simply a circle thing that you lean against and move your back back and fourth. I don't get it. Then there is the elliptical machine whose spin is too small so every pedal is awkwardly tight and jolty. It's quite fun to play there though, but I also will never understand the elaborate pulley system with two cords, each with a handle. You hold both and pull back and fourth, but it does absolutely nothing for your arms.

One very admirable trait of Chinese people is that they love to be outside. In the mornings, afternoons, and evenings you can see a myriad of people walking by themselves, with friends, children, pets, etc, just enjoying the outdoors. Sometimes you see men jogging, but it's usually a very light jog. We have a walkway next to a fake lake pond thing, with 50 or so beautiful lily pads. I've gone walking with Jen R twice in the past few days, and I'm looking forward to making a real habit out of it. My neighbors at home, the Ips, have their grandmother living with them. I'm not sure if they are from Korea, Japan, or China, but every morning she goes for a few walks around the block, despite the weather. It will be interesting to see if this is strictly a Chinese trait or if it describes people who live in other parts of Asia.

Also, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival which is the 15^th day of the 8^th month in Chinese lunar calendar. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Because of this we get a week off in October. For more information about it visit: http://www.chinavoc.com/festivals/Midautumn.htm
Mooncakes, depending on the flavor, can be quite delicious or really gross.