A snapshot—albeit an odd one, viewed through the prism of my memories—of Beijing in December 2001. Here, a headdress composed of candied hawthorn berries on sticks crowns a mannequin’s head. She stands in front of an antique wall painted with the character, “tear down”—indicating that the building is condemned. The “Flying Pigeon” brand of bicycles was ubiquitous then and was a popular way to peddle the candied snacks.