to ipod or not to ipod

As you move around the city here there are the distinctive white headphones sticking out of most peoples ears that are under 40. (That includes me for one more month.) It's a coping mechanism I guess. When you don't speak the language and the only English words I hear when walking to the subway or home from work are "DVD," "socks, " or "lady bar," it is a way to tune most of it out, including the incessant use of the car horn. It also helps give you the sense of isolation when you crammed on the subway

Now I have walked the 40 minutes to or from work and been pleasantly surprised by couple of people who actually just want to practice their English. It is often a scam to get you to go to an overpriced tea house or art show. So I usually give most of them enough rope to hang themselves then bail as soon as the mention tea or art, I'm still Canadian so somewhat polite.

What I've noticed is I seem to be more engaged by the city without them. When you walk around some of the back hutongs, (backstreets,) you get a lot of looks as a white guy but seem to be greeted with a smile or an acknowledgment of some kind. When you're "tuned out" you don't get so much as a smile. Perhaps it is just spring and people are in a more positive mood with the brighter days and warmer temperatures.

The only draw back is that, and I don't know who said it first, not me, but music is the sound track of life. Think of a song that brings a smile to your face or takes you back to that "one time" event. Carl Dougles Kung Fu Fighting is memory of a shortwave radio in crackling it our in Africa for me. Now it also included about 20 people poolside and numerous beers.

So that's the dilemma to ipod or not to ipod. Not sure, I guess I will just play it by ear.....