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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Hutong Hotel

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Hutong Alley

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Hutong Life

The Chinese says “My House”

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China's Hutong Renovations: Yay or Nay?

You ever get so busy that you forget to update your blog? Ya, happened to me. I leave for Egypt on July 30, so expect lots of photos of me with my hands in the air surrounded by sand.

Here’s an article I just recently wrote for Expat Guides.

Hutong Article

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Beijing Boredom

I’m T-minus 370 days until I leave China. Just renewed my work visa and it will expire June 10, 2020, and I don’t intend on getting a new one - it’s time to start a new adventure elsewhere.

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Beijing’s Blue Skies

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Afternoon Park Adventure

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Hutong

The streets among Beijing’s hutongs are pretty narrow, especially with cars parked on either side, but somehow, they still manage to deal with the throngs of tourists that roll through snapping pictures of the capital’s old neighborhoods.

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Fall in the Hutong

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Hutong Life

Lots of the hutongs have cool roofs, some with bars, some have gardens, and this one just had weeds

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Hutong Doors

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Hutong

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Hutong

So I moved into the hutongs, which are the traditional style buildings located with subway line 2 of Beijing. This is the entrance to my building. The walls are covered in stamps by people selling water, usually the company name and phone number.

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Hutongs

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My stomping grounds

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This is an alley in Beijing's Hutongs

Although dark and a bit dirty, there are public bathrooms everywhere and lots of cool hole-in-the-wall restaurants and bars

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On the way to the Russian district I passed the embassies of Finland, Albania, Colombia, Vietnam, and England

Funny how the buildings resembled their countries. Unfortunately, the security guards said no pictures, so here are a couple of other buildings along Embassy Row.