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.
Chinese military parade in Beijing, China
Watched the Chinese military parade today and it was just what one would expect from China. The standout was the bright blue camo that the Chinese navy somehow thought suited their needs. 70,000 doves were also released to promote peace in the world. Xi also graciously said he would slim down the world’s largest standing military force by 300,000 soldiers. What a guy
And this is what happens to Beijing when they throw a parade. Rained for the past 2 days and miraculously, blue skies the day of the parade. Somehow I feel like rockets and/or aluminum was involved.
Shoutout today goes to Chase and Travis keeping it classy at a Denver gas station. Nice to know both of you haven’t died yet.
The Chinese propaganda machine at work once again
As the newly founded holiday on September 3rd nears, this article perfectly sums up my thoughts about it
Campus was a madhouse today
Chinese students had registration and the streets of Tsinghua were filled with tents selling cheap dorm supplies. Bowls, plastic bins, fans, electrical outlets, weird bamboo mattress pads, cups; and the throng of 1000+ Chinese students and family (including extended) were all about it. I officially register tomorrow and am curious if the foreign students will be as crazy as their chinese counterparts.
New Chinese student registration today
Guy tells me gym is closed. I nod my head, sneak into the closed door, and enjoyed a workout in absolute silence
Some pictures from Tsinghua campus
Dorm room, main building, statue outside the gym facility, and the guy in the backpack finished a study abroad at Harvard and helped me figure out where I was. Chinese guy at the gym came up and introduced himself and offered to help show me around. People on campus are super friendly with helping me figure things out. Tsinghua campus is giant and all of the sudden I feel much better about buying an E-bike