Wheels in Shanghai

One always has to have the camera ready - and it is not always easy to do that! The photo above was taken in the streets behind old Shanghai Town, the man on the left was deliverying flour in huge bags. He had white flour all over him - his clothes, and his hands and face. Looked quite odd really as he weaved his way through people on foot and on wheels.

Cardboard cut out.

Very little that is recyclable is wasted in China, methinks. This man was loading cardboard cartons onto his vehicle right in the midst of busy Shaoxing city. If you have ever wondered why the cardboard boxes that you see items for some shops as being a little battered, you will understand why! Many smaller goods for export are packed into these boxes that have probably done a few tours around China before they left for overseas.

Recycling again

Down a dingy lane in downtown Shaoxing I saw this recycling man loading his tricycle up with an odd assortment of items that he will ride somewhere and offload for a few Yuan to keep him and his family going.

The lane was a pretty old lane, but with thriving businesses along either side of it.

The lanes are pretty narrow - and this type of vehicle is certainly ideal for removing rubbish and unwanted items in these old villages.

Been carting?

Another small business - this man with his home made cart is selling either beans or peanuts in the village near the college.

More carts and their way

Back and forth they go - carrying any items that need carrying. One day I'd like to sit on a street and just keep the camera rolling as things pass by. Sadly I miss many photos of strange items as I do not have my camera "at the ready" all the time.

Can you work out what is in the carts? I certainly cannot.

Oil on wheels

These little vehicles run back and forth to restaurants - they take "the slops" or the old oil. They have on board out 6 rather gruesome looking barrels - most of which have some sort of smelly slime spilling over the sides, and they go back and forth each day.

I can imagine there is some sort of oil recycling system - though have no idea what it would be and I am not sure that I really want to know. These little "tricycles" carry all sorts of tings back and forth. In some places there are many men with these carts sitting on certain street corners waiting for work.

Another strange vehicle

This little truck was at the Lanting Park where I went with students for a picnic or "bake" as they called it. I am always impressed with the engenuity of the Chinese people who seem to find use for something that is no longer wanted elsewhere.

The Monster outside my window!

What is this? This strange thing is just outside the window of my apartment. If I open the window and look out this is what I see.

Is it some sort of monster? It does not seem to have eyes or nose, but it is there all the time. Well, sometimes it completely disappears, but then it comes back again. It has big ears!

Look below and you will see. As many of these vehicles (this is actually an e-bike with its raincoat on) do not have shelter of any kind and are often left out in the weather, they are often covered with a rain coat to keep rain and dust away.

Strange green transporters

These green carts can be seen around the city of Shaoxing. They seem to be people movers and near one of the bus stops not far from the college there are often several waiting for passengers. No doubt if someone has some heavy parcels and some distance to travel these will be great little vehicles to use.

They don't travel at high speed but seem to just putter around to their destination. i've not travelled in any of the smaller strange vehicles, as I am somewhat cautious about using "light" transport and would prefer something heavier. I don't know the significance of the colour as I think all the vehicles of this shape, size, and model are green. Like little green toy carts in a way.