Road Kill

I saw it this morning...on the highway just outside our home, on the way to work.  Traffic was backed up a bit, but not unusual for this stretch during the morning commute.  It's a six-lane boulevard divided by a concrete barrier...but with shops and stores and homes lining the road.  It's not uncommon to see people crawling over the concrete barrier in the center, preparing for the dash across the road.  This morning, she didn't make it. 

As we creeped our way through the traffic, I didn't even think about what might await at the end.  One of the improvements in southern China I have seen in the past 10 years, is the amount of nasty, fatal accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists.  Back in the day, when cars were still relatively new and those that drove them drove with absolute abandon and the accidents were horrid.  It wasn't uncommon for us to see death on the roads at least 4 or 5 times a year.  With each of these accidents, there is a common theme...the body is left in the road; exposed.  As if to say, 'well, there is another one to take your place.' 

So, there she lie...a stream of blood heading towards the gutter.  Ambulance at the scene with driver and attendant standing at the back of the vehicle, smoking and chatting.  COVER HER!!!  My driver let out a Canto-expletive and quickly did the sign of the cross...I could only slowly close my eyes and bow my head, trying to divert my attention through my music. 

I'm sure she had a family...a mom and a dad, maybe even a husband and children...there isn't another one to take her place in their eyes.  Days like this when I really, really hate China and the culture.

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Comments

[FlyRice]

Sad. Really sad. I remember a couple of mornings where all the buses would pass by some pretty gruesome accidents on the way to school. They didn't even phase a lot of the kids.

Sad. Really sad.