Four Friends laughing together with the foreigner.
More foolishness and tomfoolery on the subways.
As I walked onto the subway, these four friends ended up standing beside me in the car.
They were laughing, joking and having a wonderful time.
A few times, the girl in the flowery shirt spoke English and mimicked the English voice that was stating what station we were about to arrive at and our current location.
She kept peeking at me and so did her friends.
Whenever she spoke English, I threw her the “thumbs-up” sign and smiled and laughed.
After a few stops, she and her friends decided to sit down.
As you can see, there were only 2 spaces available.
So they did what any young, happy, and goofy group of kids would do: They sat on each others’ laps and started laughing about it.
I decided to take a picture and they seemed to think that was even more hilarious.
Something I’ve noticed about China, and I also noticed this when I lived in Japan, is a sense of security and safety that seems to permeate the people.
The teens here seem to be much hopeful regarding their life and much more trusting towards others. The general feeling of fear and anxiety of “the other” doesn’t seem to be as prevalent here, at least in Beijing, as it does in other places I’ve lived.
It is something that I love, and reminds me to be more trusting, open, and less anxious about how life. Another lesson in acceptance.