You see a lot of overloaded motorcycles and scooters in China (all of Asia for that matter). Each morning fresh vegetables (and pig carcasses) are delivered to local markets. The food in China is fresh – as in watching your fish being filleted before you take it home fresh.

How much stuff can get packed on two wheels? Only The Fates know.  Carrie at My Several Worlds has some photos of in her archive of vehicles of burden in Asia.

Scooters are cheap in China. Not cheap enough that everyone rides one, but cheap enough that the emerging middle class can purchase one to tool around on. I’m not sure why. Most housing estates come complete with a smorgasbord of markets and shops. The public transit system in Shenzhen, China, is one of the best in the nation. Scooter-ownership, and the problems that entails, seem superfluous.

Josh at Far West China recently purchased a motorcycle. I’m occasionally tempted to do the same, but the fact motorcycles are illegal in Shenzhen, China, holds me back. Yes, I could buy one, but only ride it around the estate.

Another shot from the China P&E held in Beijng in May. I hate sequins. When I am king they will be banned.

I’m hoping for more shots of pretty models at the Interphoto & Digital Imaging Show in Shanghai from July 2-5. If you’re in Shanghai stop by the Everbright Convention & Exhibition Center and look for me at the Phottix booth, or more likely, near the pretty models.

For the absent Mrs. Stevo. Only a few more weeks…

I was finally able to buy some flowers to shoot. Strobist info: This was done with an “O” flash on-camera, and a YN460 behind, bouncing off a white wall.  Triggered with Phottix Tetra wireless triggers.

A young Chinese couple on a Bicycle

I’m in Beijing, as one of the text books I use says, “The center of politics and culture.” I have no idea how much time I will have to see the sights, some I hope. Ah, 4 days in Beijing, China, engaging in some China travel, almost for free. Life is good sometimes.

Maybe I’ll rent a bicycle…

The Chinese break dancers arrived late in the day. Each afternoon and evening they dance to promote a new sporting goods store.

I was sitting next door, on the patio of our local coffee purveyor, camera in hand to document a Kentuckians Chinese-style Derby party.  I needed a smaller lens, the 70-200 to big to get all the action without me leaving my seat. Yes, lazy. I should have bought the 24-85 f/2.8 when I had the chance.

Do people in the west still break dance? I thought this a dead art form.

Beyond the statue of Guanyin, the golden Buddhas, the candles and joss sticks, are the more mundane items of a daily existence. Even a Chinese temple needs to be clean.

Phoenix Mountain Temple, Bao’an District, Shenzhen, China, April 2009.