CHINA
Country Overview:
"A land of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet rapid modernization, and delectable cuisine coexists with complex political realities."
My seven-year journey in China, from May 2013 to August 2020, was a whirlwind of experiences. I taught English, pursued my Master's in Politics & Foreign Policy at the prestigious Tsinghua University, and immersed myself in the media landscape at China Today and Xinhua News Agency. Beijing was my home base, but my travels painted a vibrant tapestry of China's diverse landscapes and cultures: the bustling metropolis of Shanghai, the historic city of Xi'an, the tropical paradise of Sanya, the unique blend of East and West in Macau and Hong Kong, and countless other destinations in between. From savoring the exquisite flavors of regional cuisines to navigating the intricacies of daily life under a distinct political system, China left an indelible mark on me.
The last couple days have been super bad, which is defined as going above the AQI
They ran out of masks at convenience stores in Shuangjing. A little rain and the next day is clear blue skies. Beijing is crazy.
Hot Pot is super tasty.
Like fondue, but you boil the food in either a spicy or non spicy broth. The literal Chinese translation is ‘fire pot’, but I suppose 'hot’ gets the point across as well.
Let’s take a minute to think about how big Ikea is + the population of Beijing
It took me 3 hours to find and buy a coffee table and eventually get out of Ikea this afternoon. The creepiest thing was all the old Chinese dudes laying in the twin beds in the kid section. Come on fellas, at least pick a bed your size and sans the Spider-Man sheets.
Fireworks have been non stop ever since Chinese New Year started
This is some of the aftermath. The streets are covered in the remains of those tiny little things that go ‘boom’.
Chinese New Year was awesome
The following morning, not so much. I guess some people still had a couple of fireworks, read: shit ton, and thought 8am would be a good time to set them off. Oh China..
