Gone Is the Green

On the map of the capital city, there is this precious patch of green. It indicates the biggest park in the concrete world and is close to where we live. Today, when Sienna’s preschool friend E came to visit, we took them there. I remember how they rolled down a slopping green lawn on an outing together last summer. Maybe we could find them a spot in Beijing that would slightly remind them of the fun time back in Canada.

To my disappointment, green lawns were nowhere to be found. They just couldn’t leave a piece of green alone. It had to be converted to all sorts of concrete fountains, pavilions, snack bars… No kids around either. E’s parents said all the kids were staying at home studying. We went to a fenced area where they would sell tickets for rides. The sign for “Funny Wheels” ride says, oddly, “See far when you climb high. Your mother gave you a set of wings so that you can fly.” I mean, how? I did’t know if I should laugh or cry.

The two families had dinner together at a nearby restaurant. These only two kids there were having a blast, chasing each other around the table and laughing. Forget the manner for now. It’s wonderful to see kids remain kids. The challenge is how to keep them this way in the land where people don’t care about keeping the land green.