There is something that I have witnessed several times which I am told is quite common here is Shekou.  I didn’t really want to write about it, but I realized it’s a must.

It’s important to carry an umbrella around right now because it rains often.  One minute it’s sunny, and the next the sky has opened up and it’s pouring.  The drainage around the city isn’t so hot and when it rains, there are lots of puddles.  This is where the concern lies.

It’s normal to see small children using trashcans and/or the streets as public toilets. Small children might just start to go, right there, and no one really even looks.  It’s quite normal.  Now please don’t get the idea that I am walking home and dodging and/or stepping over children doing this – I have seen many more children going in and out of restrooms. However, there it is.  Now, I am not sure if it’s a socioeconomic thing or what, but there is an article of clothing for babies that I call the Split Pant.  Most babies I have seen don’t wear diapers, they wear these Split Pants – think of a pair of shorts with the middle seam cut out.  When the baby has to go, the parent will simply hold the child away from them, and let them go freely.  I haven’t witnessed this yet, but told it’s only a matter of time.  And that’s where the worry with puddles comes in.

As you can imagine, I don’t know what I am stepping in when I step into a puddle.  It’s something I’ve never really had to worry about before.  So Friday as I was walking home trying to stay dry under my umbrella, I avoided any and all puddles.  It’s a bit of a game with friends because that’s just the way it is around here.  Needless to say, I am on the lookout for some knee high galoshes.

Below are some photos of a shopping trip a few of us took yesterday. Cheers!

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