People walk differently here. At home I see herds of legs swinging in confusion. There is no order, just dizzy limbs on the move. But here, here it is different. Close friends look like close friends. They synchronize, whole lines of them. Four girls walking in step, shoulder to shoulder, exuding camaraderie, blending into a single new organism that was born for laughter. It reminds me of a graduation ceremony. They're even wearing matching school uniforms -- white and blue windbreakers. They march, like in a parade.
Why? Maybe it's because they're the same height. They see eye to eye. Maybe it's because they're going the same direction and the same pace. Whatever it is, it's no accident -- I've seen them. They file through gaps between idling cars and kiosks, then stutter-step to restore solidarity. I've seem them. Even on bikes, I've seen them. They pair up and hold each other's handlebars.
It makes me happy. And then it makes me sad. I think about where most of them are going, hand-in-hand, and my stomach tightens. Few are Christians. I still can't give directions in Chinese.
