CHINA
Country Overview:
“Love the food, hate the government”
I arrived in China in May 2013 and left August 2020. I taught English for awhile, did my master’s of politics & foreign policy at Tsinghua University, worked for a year at China Today, and then two years at Xinhua News Agency. I spent most of my time in Beijing, but also traveled to Shanghai, Wuhan, Inner Mongolia, Shenzhen, Panjin, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Xi’an, Sanya, Macau, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Pools And Beaches
Leaving Beijing was the best choice I made this year. I flew to Sanya, Hainan Province to hangout until my visa expires, but also found out that I get an automatic 2 month extension because of the virus. So if need be, I can stay here through the summer. I’m hoping to leave here and fly to another SE Asian country, but it all depends on when/if they open or resume visa services. Hanging out with no plans is nice but I do miss the feeling of having a schedule or something to work on or work towards. My life, like many people’s these days, is up in the air with no real idea of where it will go. COVID-19 has uprooted what resemblance of plans I had after I finished my contract at Xinhua and now I’m trying to make new ones.
At this point, the most I can do is wait until June 1 and see if countries relax their lockdown policies. If not, I’ll continue to stay in Sanya, get some sun, and go to the gym. Not bad for the time being but I’m looking forward to having “the next step” in place.
Beijing Life Amid Outbreak
Glad to know China has bunkers available for… whatever bunkers are used for
2020 National Championship
Being a sports fan is challenging when in Beijing. Games either start super early or super late. LSU-Clemson game started at 9am and I forgot how long games were when you factor in commercials and the halftime report. On top of that, an electric bike battery exploded right outside the bar window and even when doused with a fire extinguisher, flames continued to burst forth, so the fire department was called. Eventful morning.
Beijing’s Last Game at Gongti
Yesterday was a really big day, not only for Beijing Guo'an, but also for the city and me as an individual.
With a 3-2 win against Shandong Luneng (scoring the final goal in the 91st minute), the players managed to offer an action-packed afternoon to their 51,000 fans in their final game of the Chinese Super League (CSL) season. Despite the exciting game, they finished 2nd in the CSL after Guangzhou.
More importantly, Beijing Guo'an has officially said farewell to its beloved Workers' Stadium in the heart of Sanlitun. The team now starts preparations to move to the Olympic Stadium for the next three years while their regular home undergoes extensive renovations.
When I first got to Beijing, I expressed an interest in the team to a coworker and she ended up getting me a signed Beijing Guo'an jersey in 2013. I’ve been a fan ever since and have attended numerous games over my years in the capital. With an exciting last game of the season, and last game at the stadium I’ve visited many times, it also signified my last Beijing game as I am planning to leave China before next year’s season begins. Thanks for the memories!
The last picture is from my 3rd thanksgiving dinner at a bar on Friday.
