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.
First day in China
So it’s 6am and I’m up. My internal clock is still not used to the time difference and I have just managed to steal somebody’s wifi because my hotel has “No no no, no wifi”. 20 minutes after landing I find myself inside of a bank, signing endless amounts of paperwork after which my Chinese companion tells me, “Now, you have bank account”.
After having spent 15 hours on airplanes yesterday, I thought to myself, “What could be worse than that?” THE CHINESE LANGUAGE. I will never again say anything about how tricky Spanish can be. It’s going to be a long year in China, that’s for sure, but I’m quite excited.
Goals for the day:
1. Find a gym
2. Learn to count to 10
Yep, 2 just of them. I’m sure they’ll be challenging enough.