Well, I have finished my first week of classes and already I feel like this is going to be the most demanding semester in my academic career. It is a good thing that I like learning languages otherwise I would probably do very badly. On my way to school, on the second day, I found a bunch of security guards doing drills. I guess they do these demonstrations to make the people who live in "Luxurious City" feel safe. I asked if I could film them and they were cool with it.
They are not very impressive really, but they are on my way to school and they always try to talk to me when I'm in a hurry. The Sifu asked me if they were any good. I lied and said they were.
Aside from the curriculum at school, my schedule has been made harder by the fact that they keep taking us to see the touristy stuff. If anyone is coming to Beijing, you can skip the opera. I really tried to appreciate it, but the general consensus among everyone I talked to was that it was awful. Seriously, if you go see it, sit near the door so you can leave early.
The acrobats on the other hand, were a sight to behold. I have never seen anything like it, and the videos I'm posting don't do these people justice. The coolest things they did, I didn't try to get on film because I wanted to give it my undivided attention.
Here are some really cool teeter totter jumping tricks:
These are the contortionists:
Also, I have been out a couple times and Beijing is a really fun city. I need to find some cool places by my house, but without a bicycle I am limited. I'm going to go buy a used one tonight I think.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
My first days in Beijing
This blogpost is from my notes on Facebook:
Well, I haven't really had a chance to organize my thoughts, so this may just end up sounding like a jumbled rant. I have been in Beijing since Feb. 6th, and I am loving it. My Chinese "auntie", Helen, and her daughter, Cici, are really cool and helpful. I am the envy of many foreigns students because I already have a bus pass, cell phone and Chinese bank account. If anyone is considering study abroad I highly reccomend doing a homestay, at least until you get settled. It is cheaper and it really helps. So far, I have not had to cook a single meal. I really like Helen's food, except for the sheep's head/cow's stomach soup. They also eat a lot of cartilage and chicken's feet here. I don't like that much either.
My first day, Helen took me to a Chinese "sauna". It is not what it sounds like. It started out with me being escorted to a men's bathouse full of naked chinese men. Then they undressed me and re-dressed me in silk pijamas. There were 4 all you can eat buffets, beds with thier own personal TVs for relaxing, amazing baths with cold water, or hot water and water massages. You could also get a cute chinese girl to give you a foot massage... or a cute chinese guy if that's your thing. I stayed for 16 hours and all it cost was 17 dollars. I can't even imagine what a place like this would cost for a night in the US, but I'll bet it would be well into the hundreds.
The toilets here are totally not cool. So many of the public toilets lack toilet paper and soap. Not to mention, you cannot flush the paper if you do have it. Next to every toilet is a trash can full of poopy paper. At first it was gross, but I got used to it pretty quick. No choice really. Water is expensive in Beijing, so instead of flushing the toilet at my house, we collect the water from our showers in buckets, and pour it in by hand. It really is efficient, but sometimes I just don't feel like the hassle. Being here really helps me understand how good American's have it. I met a lady who serves tea here, and via Helen's translation I learned that she works 12 hours per day, 7 days per week and earns less than $100 every month. She is a minority, and is sending about half of the money back home to her daughter for her education. She lives in a small house with 30 other people.
Today was my second day at Beijing University and it went well. I have already met a few cool people here. This one scottish guy is going to take me to his buddy's bar. It sounds awesome. It has a go-kart track. I'll get to drink and drive responsibly! He says it is the most fun I'll ever have a bar, but I don't know, I have had some fun times. Everbody laughs at my stories about West Virginia. They really don't know about how we party. I sure do hope my friends can come visit, although I don't know for sure whether China is ready for the combination of Aaron, Stonewall and Knotts. Well, that is all for now, I have been typing emails for the past hour and I'm tired.
Here are some pics.
This is Cici, my Chinese little sis. Isn't she the cutest little 9 year old commie soldier you ever saw? She calls me gege, which is Chinese for big brother.
Well, I haven't really had a chance to organize my thoughts, so this may just end up sounding like a jumbled rant. I have been in Beijing since Feb. 6th, and I am loving it. My Chinese "auntie", Helen, and her daughter, Cici, are really cool and helpful. I am the envy of many foreigns students because I already have a bus pass, cell phone and Chinese bank account. If anyone is considering study abroad I highly reccomend doing a homestay, at least until you get settled. It is cheaper and it really helps. So far, I have not had to cook a single meal. I really like Helen's food, except for the sheep's head/cow's stomach soup. They also eat a lot of cartilage and chicken's feet here. I don't like that much either.
My first day, Helen took me to a Chinese "sauna". It is not what it sounds like. It started out with me being escorted to a men's bathouse full of naked chinese men. Then they undressed me and re-dressed me in silk pijamas. There were 4 all you can eat buffets, beds with thier own personal TVs for relaxing, amazing baths with cold water, or hot water and water massages. You could also get a cute chinese girl to give you a foot massage... or a cute chinese guy if that's your thing. I stayed for 16 hours and all it cost was 17 dollars. I can't even imagine what a place like this would cost for a night in the US, but I'll bet it would be well into the hundreds.
The toilets here are totally not cool. So many of the public toilets lack toilet paper and soap. Not to mention, you cannot flush the paper if you do have it. Next to every toilet is a trash can full of poopy paper. At first it was gross, but I got used to it pretty quick. No choice really. Water is expensive in Beijing, so instead of flushing the toilet at my house, we collect the water from our showers in buckets, and pour it in by hand. It really is efficient, but sometimes I just don't feel like the hassle. Being here really helps me understand how good American's have it. I met a lady who serves tea here, and via Helen's translation I learned that she works 12 hours per day, 7 days per week and earns less than $100 every month. She is a minority, and is sending about half of the money back home to her daughter for her education. She lives in a small house with 30 other people.
Today was my second day at Beijing University and it went well. I have already met a few cool people here. This one scottish guy is going to take me to his buddy's bar. It sounds awesome. It has a go-kart track. I'll get to drink and drive responsibly! He says it is the most fun I'll ever have a bar, but I don't know, I have had some fun times. Everbody laughs at my stories about West Virginia. They really don't know about how we party. I sure do hope my friends can come visit, although I don't know for sure whether China is ready for the combination of Aaron, Stonewall and Knotts. Well, that is all for now, I have been typing emails for the past hour and I'm tired.
Here are some pics.
This is Cici, my Chinese little sis. Isn't she the cutest little 9 year old commie soldier you ever saw? She calls me gege, which is Chinese for big brother.
This is me at Tian'an men square with the great helmsman himself in the background. The girl is Claudia, her chinese name is Xu ShanShan. She has been helpful to say the least.
This is a picture of my Chinese auntie and Cici sleeping in the bed/chairs at the sauna. There were about 100 such beds in this room. It is like a big slumber party with a whole bunch of complete strangers.
This is a picture of what about $2.50 can buy you to eat in China.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
First Days in Beijing
So, right before I left for Beijing, my father told me that he was worried about the homestay company I chose. He speculated that maybe they would kidnap me and take my money. Needless to say, that did not happen. I was taken to my Chinese family's house where I will be staying for the next six months. Since my arrival in China was on the eve of the Spring Festival, my family treated me to a night at the spa/all you can eat buffet/massage parlor/bath house/hotel. It was quite the experience. Helen, my Chinese big sister treated me. The whole night cost around 17 USD.
Upon entering the Hannashan International Club, I was escorted to the men's area by three Chinese guys about my age. They told me to get naked, using hand gestures instead of English. Before I knew it, I was being dressed in a new wardrobe of silk pijamas that I would wear for the durations of my stay. The rest of my stay was spent watching CCTV (terrible), bathing and eating 5 times at the buffet. This buffet was not like a US buffet though, the food was amazing. It was healthy too.
What is really crazy about my stay so far, is the fact that I have not seen any foriegners since I left the airport. Everywhere I go, people stare at me. Some look happy to see me, but others definately are not. Anyway, I will get some pictures posted soon, so dont worry.
Upon entering the Hannashan International Club, I was escorted to the men's area by three Chinese guys about my age. They told me to get naked, using hand gestures instead of English. Before I knew it, I was being dressed in a new wardrobe of silk pijamas that I would wear for the durations of my stay. The rest of my stay was spent watching CCTV (terrible), bathing and eating 5 times at the buffet. This buffet was not like a US buffet though, the food was amazing. It was healthy too.
What is really crazy about my stay so far, is the fact that I have not seen any foriegners since I left the airport. Everywhere I go, people stare at me. Some look happy to see me, but others definately are not. Anyway, I will get some pictures posted soon, so dont worry.
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