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.
Erlian is not cool and anyone who says otherwise is a liar
Everything is written in Chinese, Mongolian, and Inner Mongolian. (The russian looking writing is Mongolian) They have such a false economy, there are tons of buildings and lots of construction, but with a population of 20,000, they are all vacant. It’s really quite creepy. Huge hotels and streets of modern buildings, all empty. It looks like a life-size version of a ‘model-city’ in the middle of a desert. There is nothing around Erlian except the Mongolian border, which isn’t anything to write home about. It’s trips like these that remind me of the phrase, “This is the first and the last time…"
These Soviet-era jeeps are also the only cars that can transport people across the border, which of course comes with a fee. I was in Mongolia for close to 5 minutes. At which point I decided to buy Mongolian liquor with a dead snake in it. Mexican tequila with a worm has got nothing on this stuff.