An American in Beijing lives his Chinese dream

Gao Tianrui walks along streets in Beijing's Xicheng district aspublic security volunteer. (wear) his bright red armband (红袖章) and speaking fluent Mandarin, 62-year-old Gao Tianrui could (take) for any regular Chinese man. But on (close) inspection, things are not quitethey seem: Gao's real name is Terry Crossman and he is from the United States. He is now a member of "Xicheng Dama", that is, volunteers, usually women in late middle-age,walk along the streets of downtown Beijing's Xicheng district. Terry said that, at first, he saw the group as busybodies, but (gradual) he saw that it was a good thing for retired seniors(help) others.

He is often seen giving tourists(direction), getting water for a baby and even helping a neighbor sell yogurt. "I like helping others," he said, "I live in the hutong and my neighbors and I usually help each other ... This is where I live, where my friends are and where I call home." Crossman (become) interested in Chinese culture as a teenager when he read Tao Te Ching by Laozi.