Ode to my Chinese bicycle

Oh, how I needed thee after much too frequent walking in
a city made for flying (if you don’t want to get killed)
a city filled with the scent of smog
a city that considers exhaust emission control subsidiary
Thou were dirt cheap (180 RMB haggled down to 160 RMB –
methinks I was fooled even then)
a little unsteady but
what could I expect from a bike that cost less than my new hand bag?
30 m down the road, the handle started turning
but it was a warm day and I was tired, so I continued home.
Yes, I’m stupid like that.
During the weekend, I’ve had to tighten the handle twice.
A minor problem I could live with, no?
But this morning
I almost got hit by a car
because the entire handle came loose
Near-death experiences are no fun.
I was fuming as I bicycled (on thee, my dear crap bike) to the bike shop
and demanded they tighten every single screw I could find.
I probably sounded like a kitten version of a full-blown angry Chinese woman
but hey, consider it progress coming from a Swede.
Now, no longer like it’s going to fall apart any second
But who knows
The bike seller wanted me to come back in a week to tighten the screws again –
that’s how sure he is of his products.
China is the whole world’s product factory, but why oh why do you make such crap stuff for yourselves?
Oh, how I miss my Swedish bike!
But alas, it’d only get stolen here.


Also, our water heater decided to, um, not work. Since four days back. I just had a cold shower. And washed my hair. With shampoo and conditioner.
If that doesn't make me kick-ass, I don't know what does.
Ah, China. You sure as hell don't make things easy, do you?

Music: Splashdown - Waterbeads