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.
Happy Belated 4th of July
Pictures of white suit (and girl in wedding dress) are from a photoshoot I did with a friend who needed “model” pictures for his new company. More to come. Hopefully this will be my last 4th of July in a communist country.
Banana Man // Sanya
My friends who live in Sanya both work for a photography company and they needed to test out their new gear. So I suggested I buy a banana costume and we go to a street market to take pics and film a music video — which is exactly what we did. My friend is working on editing the video, so that will be posted when it’s finished. Chinese people laughed when seeing me in costume and little kids kept shouting “BANANA!”
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.
Last Dinner In Beijing
Headed to Sanya tomorrow morning for at least 2 weeks. Have to wait and see what countries open in June. Chinese visa expires June 10, so I’ve got about 3 weeks to hangout until I’m forced to leave.
Spicy wontons. Sichuan cold noodles. Sichuan potatoes shaped like French fried but not fried. Chinese croquettes with egg custard filling.
Still In Beijing
Despite a government notice only suspending visas for a period of 1 month from March 30, Cambodia has yet to resume visa services. As such, I’m stuck in Beijing until the foreseeable future. My apartment is empty, my bags are packed except for gym shorts, a tank top, and a few t-shirts, and I finished my job on May 1. I have nothing to do. My only course of action is to wait until June 1 and see if countries in SE Asia open up. I’m on day 88 of quarantine and without a day job, I am slowly losing my mind.
Gyms in Beijing are still closed. Awesome.
