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.

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Sanlitun, Beijing, China.

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Happy Mother’s Day from China! My buddy Yoyo said “With tongue!” So here ya go Madre. Much love from Beijing!

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Found this in Sanlitun. Despite the fact that there was no other information about the sign, I admire the typography

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This is called Mala Xiang Guo

You order all the food separately, then they cook it all together and it becomes a community pot. We had shrimp, tofu, beef, and lots of other vegetables. Sharing food in China has become so normal that imagining eating in America seems so odd

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Went boating the other day on a lake close to Olympic park

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Hot pot from Chongqing is typically separated like this and has a lot more oil

Hot pot is always good, but I only usually go with Chinese people because it’s a Chinese menu and I don’t feel like playing “just choose randomly and hope it’s good”.

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Went to US embassy here in Beijing for some passport stuff and it was a madhouse

Literally hundreds of Chinese people in lines, all carrying documents and pushing and shoving to get to the next teller. The line in the picture is the 3rd one. There was a line outside the embassy, as well as a line to get past security. As soon as I got to the gate, I was escorted inside, past the lines, and up to the 2nd floor where 2 available kiosks were located to help me out. My passport was like a Disney world fast pass. At times, being an American has its advantages

As soon as I took this picture a Chinese guard yelled at me in perfect English, “Hey bro, no pictures”. That’s the first time I’ve been bro’d here in Beijing.