American people love cars. Cars constitute one part of our life. Many people begin to drive when they are very young. And driving license is often used as our ID card, that is, the identification card.

　　One reason for this is that we don't have the mass transit systems (public transportation) like you do here in China. And most people choose to live outside cities and drive to work every day. So the car is taken as a necessity rather than a luxury.

　　Another reason is that the price of gasoline is relatively inexpensive and the salaries in the US are high enough so that people can afford cars. A one- car family would be considered disadvantaged.

　　Airplane is another common means of transportation in the US. If the trip takes 10 or 12 hours by car, people would probably choose to fly. Americans have the concept that time is money. And we also say that flying is safer than driving.

　　In China I'm impressed by the mass transit system. I think the trains are convenient, clean, cheap and very punctual. I also like the fact that taxis are plentiful and the fare is reasonable. Now that I know the bus routes in Changchun, I often travel by bus. So many Chinese ride bicycles and I think this is good both for their health and for the environment.