China - Blogabond

Out numbered

I have four roommates. I am the lone non-Chinese - very good for practicing my limited language skills. They set the bar very low for Big Noses, everyone marveling at my Mandarin. Very friendly and helpful roommates but... they give me reason to use earplugs at night! I feel like I'm in a...

written by

prrrrl on February 28, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

I feel gritty!

Everybody sing: "I feel gritty! Oh so gritty! I feel gritty and pity and fright!" That's life in a very polluted city with very dry air and very little precipitation. Leaving it all behind tomorrow!!! Busy day packing, shopping & cleaning up. Tailor needs to be visited now so...

written by

prrrrl on February 28, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

Want to see where I'm staying?

Google: yonghegong haina hotel, beijing, china Zoom in on the alleys. Not all show up as some are only as wide as a sidewalk.

written by

prrrrl on February 28, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing, 2010 or Liaoning, 2013. They are appear to be mixed up!

Miscalculation multiplied by Tu

I packed an old pair of boots on purpose. I thought I could use them for a hike then leave them behind in China giving me more more luggage space for my return trip. WRONG! They are LL Bean boots meaning I can return them at ANY TIME, in any condition for a refund. But I can't return them if...

written by

prrrrl on February 28, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

Lentokoneella takaisin Kiinaan

Lensimme Koreasta Shanghaihin. Ekaa kertaa koneessa matkan aikana, ja tuntui todella ihmeelliseltä saapua toiseen maahan vain reilun tunnin lennon jalkeen. Se tuntui olevan liian nopeaa, liian helppoa. Suuri osa matkanteon iloa on sen kesto, jotta ehtii kunnolla miettimään siirtyvänsä taas...

written by

rosabella on February 27, 2012 from Shanghai, China

from the travel blog: Kaukana kotoa: Siperian halki ja matkantekoa Itä-Aasiassa

Endangered words

In Mandarin there is greater variety of titles for family members. In stead of 'brother,' 'sister' or 'sibling' there's big sister [jie Jje], little sister [mei mei], big brother [ge ge] and little brother [di di]. They are cute designations of relativity to relatives. When my dorm mate said...

written by

prrrrl on February 26, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

Maintaining my image, part 3

Another way to keep the locals staring at me is to do solo videos. I turn the camera on, hold it at arms length pointing back and me and talk away. I often rotate in a Circle so the video will pick up people, actions and objects behind me. This method worked extremely well last night at a...

written by

prrrrl on February 25, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

Test Step

I bought new dance shoes here. They got their first test run last night at a weekly ballroom dance. Good thing I like Salsa as I think that's the only dance I'll find at a high level here. A bit surprised at that - the low proficiency of the other dances, I mean. Did I say that out...

written by

prrrrl on February 25, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing, 2010 or Liaoning, 2013. They are appear to be mixed up!

Bad is unusual

Usually my restaurant experiences in China are great. Service is usually great [even back in the days of transitioning away from the communist system towards free markets - man, do I have some stories to tell from back then!]. Food is usually great even at low end establishments. Last night...

written by

prrrrl on February 25, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing, 2010 or Liaoning, 2013. They are appear to be mixed up!

2/1500000

One of my five room mates is a girl from Latvia. Now I know 2 of only 1.5 million Latvians on the planet. I took her through the maze-like alleys not realizing it was her first daylight look at the country as she had arrived just after midnight. Might as well jump in to the culture!

written by

prrrrl on February 25, 2012 from Beijing, China

from the travel blog: Beijing I, 2012

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