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.
Smog is back
With no leaves on the trees, unsettling gray smog everywhere, and Santa pictures posted on shop windows, Christmas 2015 is off to a creepy start
Shmog
Beijing air quality yesterday broke the index, coming in around 650 or so. Today it's all blue skies. I wonder if it has to do with Xi coming back from Paris. Yesterday, to prevent further smog, factories were shut down as well as restrictions on driving (through license plate regulation)
Upon landing in Beijing, a German girl turned to me and said, ‘So cloudy today!’
I explained that this was 'smog’ and was full of pollutants. She didn’t look so eager to be out and about in Beijing as she had before learning what smog was.
The last couple days have been super bad, which is defined as going above the AQI
They ran out of masks at convenience stores in Shuangjing. A little rain and the next day is clear blue skies. Beijing is crazy.
The smog is no joke
On a somewhat related note, Chinese people smoke like chimneys. I’d go even as far to say they smoke more than Europeans. Maybe it’s the same smoker to non-smoker ratio as anywhere else, but because there are so many people, it feels like a lot.
Oh, and finding Westernized toilets in public places is rare. Don’t worry, I’ll get a picture on here soon enough.
SMOOOOGG
People aren’t kidding when they talk about how dirty the air here is in Beijing, China. I am currently in a battle against nasal congestion, coughing, and a hoarse voice from singing ‘Old Macdonald had a farm’ 10 times a day. The other teachers are quite supportive saying, “Normal, everyone gets super sick, then they either adapt or continue being sick”. As I sit here with a runny nose, I’m certainly hoping my immune system steps it up a bit.
Beijing just keeps going and going until the skyline gets lost in the ‘clouds’ #it'srealdirty