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.

Degen Hill 7/30/13 Degen Hill 7/30/13

Al Azar

Saw a guy throwing knees in the gym and asked him if he fought Muay Thai. Yes indeed he replied. So I asked him if he wanted to spar, we laced up, and went at it for 3 rounds. After we fought we shook hands and parted ways, without ever asking each other’s names. Nothing like sparring with random dudes at the gym. On a side note, my jaw hurts.

Degen Hill 5/21/13 Degen Hill 5/21/13

This is the view from one of the treadmills

After asking around and a lot of hand motions, I found a legit gym with an underground Muay Thai area, ring included. Now if learning how to count in Chinese were only this easy.

Degen Hill 5/17/13 Degen Hill 5/17/13

Whatup Widdit..

It’s that time again. I’m off to a foreign country in 2 days and as always, to those who send me their address, I will send you something authentically “MADE IN CHINA”. E-mail me at: Degenh@outlook.com.

It’s going to be a busy year for me whilst in Beijing. Not only will I be teaching English, I’ll also be working on grad school applications along with Muay Thai training, in which I plan to take some fights. So stay posted and let the adventures begin.

Degen Hill 5/4/13 Degen Hill 5/4/13

I leave for China in under 2 weeks and I couldn’t be more excited. Minus the fact that I’ll be taking my Muay Thai shin guards and they aren’t exactly a ‘space-saver’.

I do apologize that my blog has been boring due to the fact that I’ve been in Boise, Idaho for the past month or so, but I assure you, once I’m in China, it won’t disappoint.

Degen Hill 3/25/13 Degen Hill 3/25/13

My new Muay Thai gym here in Boise

Much better than the one in Peru, although I’ll never forget all those rainy nights, training on wet mats from the leaks in the roof. Ahh how I miss Peru.

Shout-out goes to Walter, my Peruvian buddy who got me into Muay Thai. Hopefully his toe is better so from here on out, after I win, I won’t have to hear, “Well ya see my toe hurts, so I wasn’t at 100%”.