Who would you expect to bump into on an early morning stroll in a park? A couple of ultra keen joggers perhaps, or another early riser out for some fresh air before their day begins. But at seven o’ clock in the morning, one would expect, most parks would be fairly tranquil.

Having a non-Asian appearance in China can sometimes make you feel like a celebrity. Especially in areas where foreigners are rare, many people openly stare at Westerners and try out their favorite English word, “hello”. The braver ones might ask for a photo with their new foreign friend, friend in this case meaning person they have just spotted walking around.