City Nights

I believe my favorite time in this city is late at night, during early summer nights as these, when the curtain of sleep has calmed the rush of the daily grind, when lives are put on hold to make time for the mysteries of slumber, when all but the bravest souls (or perhaps the lonliest?) remains. At times like these, the heat and humidity created during the day evaporates to light breezes and vague memories. At times like these, when humanity and traffic rests, Beijing regains its life and reminds you of its essance. At times like these, Beijing shines and tells its stories to all who would listen, stories of triumph, love, loss, pain, balance, eternity, and hope.

You'll find in all great cities the capacity to lose yourself in the masses or regain yourself in the energy. For me, I find my shanti late at night, during early summer nights as these, when all that's on my mind is to take in as much of the cool, moist air as I can. To breathe, to breathe, to breathe...