The Legendary Subway Wipeout

In case you missed her second facebook update, Valerie had the opportunity to wipe out a second time.  This time, while running for a subway, on marble floors, in dusty Converse.  To her credit, we made the train, even though she now sports knee-bruises big enough to make one suspect she is turning into a smurf, knees first.  The crowded train car full of onlookers was, much to Valerie’s chagrin, far too polite (or horrified?) to laugh at her.  With her.  She was in a fit of hysterical laughter that took even me some time to join in.  Or maybe I was just feeling guilty for reaching

 down and grabbing her arm when she fell.  Sure, to help her up, make sure she was okay, et cetera. But mostly, to drag her onto the waiting train.  As if there wouldn’t be another one along in two and a half to two and three quarters minutes, as the Beijing subway authority assures us.  We both hope this weekly trend of slips and spills does not continue.  At this rate, Valerie would be better off crawling to work, already on the ground, within a month or two.  I, personally, think it’s the whole being-on-the-other-side-of-the-world thing.  You know, gravity’s different here.  Right?  Right?  Right.

Oh, and here's a shot of her knee bruise, three days after the spill...