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.
Sorry For Lack of Posts
I’ve been quarantined, and pretty much doing the same thing everyday. Wake up, protein shake, exercise, run 1.5 km outside, protein shake, call GF, lunch, work, Netflix, call GF, sleep. As such, there haven’t been a whole lot of “interesting” things to post on here. Waiting for April 30 when Thailand is expected to announce the resumption of flights. After that, I’ll find a flight, get a COVID-19 test, and be on my way. Until then, not a lot going on.
Packing To Leave
I have 38 days until I leave, and I’ve already started gutting my apartment, selling off small things, and de-constructing my IKEA furniture so I can sell that too. It’s weird being in an apartment that now echoes when I speak.
I just bought my 2nd suitcase on Taobao the other day, and I now need to pack seven years of my life in China into two suitcases and a carry-on. Packing may sound simple, but it poses its own challenges, especially since I’m looking to move to SE Asia, I am only allowed 23kg in 1 suitcase. Lucky me, I get to pay for a 2nd suitcase. Thankfully it’s hot down there, so I won’t need to pack any winter clothes. I feel like a girl having to decide which shoes to keep and which ones to part with.
I’m still working from home and no foreseeable “return to office” date in sight. Gyms are still closed, as are schools. China just closed its borders to foreigners and limited the number of flights domestic and foreign airlines can make, so hopefully, that will curb the number of “imported” cases, and we can get back to normal. I feel like I have so much to do over the next six weeks, such as get all my paperwork in order, close bank accounts, go to the dentist, sell all my stuff, have my apartment inspected by landlord to get my deposit back, among a myriad of other things.
The other problem I’m facing is that I can’t get to my intended destination of Thailand or Singapore. Countries around the world have either closed borders entirely or won’t allow anyone who has been to China in the past two weeks. As such, the only countries I found that had no flight restrictions or quarantine measures for people who have been to China are Cambodia, the Congo, and Zambia. My plan is to find a country I can fly to, stay there for two weeks, and then I will have more options. Ultimately, I need to get to Singapore, so I’m just waiting for them to open up their borders, but since they just closed down all entertainment venues for a month, prospects aren’t looking too hot.
Trying to plan my permanent departure from China amidst an on-going pandemic that started in China is not ideal. I feel stressed, anxious, excited, and relieved to be leaving after so many years. My planned date of departure is May 4, with my last working day on May 3. I'm not spending any more time here than I need to. Hopefully, the world gets a handle on the virus over the next month, which will ensure a smoother “transition” from China onto the next chapter of my life.