Move on, what's a bit of staring once in a while

Babies toddling around in split pants, small dogs dressed in colorful coats with matching booties, and elderly people walking backwards at the crack of dawn are all sights that make a curious foreigner like me stop and stare.

But, of course, there has to be a bit of give and take, and I myself, with short peroxide blonde hair, blue eyes, and a tendency to wander around less popular parts of Beijing "exploring", receive my fair share of gawking from locals.

Sometimes such attention can be flattering. On Christmas day, I went to Chongwenmen church. Nestled in Hougou hutong, this uniquely shaped building is a gem. The church was crammed with people who had braved the freezing night to worship and celebrate.