Warning Lights

In the 80’s bicycles ruled the road.  Or at least held their own. Sure, there were cars, usually belonging to businesses and universities and lot of taxis.  But the private car that is today flooding onto the roads in China was a rare sight.  My first four years in China I do not remember ever riding in a car that was driven by its owner.  The drivers were all employees of my university, a taxi company or the office of where a friend worked.  At night side streets were dimly lit if at all and I remember as I rode home I hoped that I wouldn’t meet an unseen pothole or pile of glass.  Of course I was rarely the only one on the road and I was always happy if the cyclist in front of me was a smoker.  (I know, totally selfish and with no concern for their health) Why?  The light of a cigarette was sometimes just enough to warn you of what’s up ahead.  Sometimes a group was riding, chatting, and smoking together – like a string of tiny Christmas lights weaving ahead of me.  Why am I remembering this?  Last night I got on a dark city bus.  My glasses steamed up immediately – a winter problem – and I was momentarily blind.  I grabbed for the overhead rail to steady myself – wondering if just perhaps there might be a seat.  Nope, all full. Even as my glasses slowly defogged I could see the tiny square lights of a row of cell phones.  As they cleared completely I saw the many heads bent over them.   Warning lights have changed In 20 years.