Red from embarrassment rather than the sun in my bikini

On a clear and sunny Sunday in Beijing, I had the urge to go sunbathing. It was the kind of day where you'd see lots of sunbathers laying out en masse in places like New York City's Central Park. In the United States, a healthy summer glow, or tan, is highly coveted.

So, when I ventured to Chaoyang Park to get that tan, I was a little surprised to find it empty of sunbathers. None. Not a single body in sight. Not even foreigners wanted to try it out.

Oh sure, there were plenty of people, but they all seemed to be huddled under the shade of any tree they could find.