Just an Autumn day at the park

Beijingers used to have their yearly Fragrant Hills pilgrimage to check out the red leaves; China enthusiasts Gubo and Palanka, Canadian students from my 80s language handbook, were looking forward to see the marvels of Beijing's fleeting autumn.

I remember when I was just a visitor here and I used to ask myself 'what's the hype about autumn leaves', but now that we're toughened up by smog and concrete, all the family is amazed by gingkos turning gold.

(Music - Portofino by Raymond Scott)