[March 1, 2006]

Aiiiiyaaaa....

 

Two weeks, I've been here two weeks.  In many ways it feels like months have passed- the novelty of 50 cent baozi for breakfast every morning is wearing thin,  and the incessant staring and finger-pointing is not quite as flattering and humorous as it was the first few times.  On the same token, there are times that I feel as though I just arrived yesterday... Trying to figure out the Beijing subway, explaining what nail polish remover is and wheremightifindit, and arguing with the coat check for 45 minutes in Chinese to give me back my jacket has definitely made me question if I know anything more about China after two weeks than I did when I first got here.

 

In addition to the interesting (needless to say) encounters I've had in the last couple weeks, I've also been able to measure the quantity and quality of my time here by all the other things I've done in the last two weeks... Last time I updated I had just finished visiting Tiananmen, The Forbidden City (which never cease to amaze... no matter how many times I've been), and Wang Fu Jing.  Since then, we spent a night at the Peking Opera, explored the nearby shops and restaurants on WuDaoKou, celebrated friends birthdays at an amazing sushi restaurant and 1001 Arabian nights (an Arabic restaurant complete with belly dancers, hookah, and fantastic food), and last but not least, experienced Beijing nightlife.  Next on my list is a trip to the Lama Temple on Saturday, a trip to Xi'An to see the Terra Cotta warriors next weekend, the Beijing Zoo to see the pandas and deciding what to do for my 10 day Spring Break... decisions, decisions.

 

Classes began last week, and our program is mixed in with the BeiDa international study program, mixing together students from all over the world... Germany, Korea, Sweden, Turkey, Japan, Australia, Spain... it makes me feel like I'm back at my international school in Hong Kong.  Also, the ignorant American that is hiding deep within me has been surprised to realize that English isn't usually the default language, which definitely helps force me to depend on my Chinese.  My Chinese... speaking of that, I feel like I have improved dramatically in terms of listening comprehension and ease of use, and find myself feeling less and less embarrassed and uncomfortable speaking as time passes.

 

You will probably be shocked to hear that aside from my hi-tech new cell phone, I have not yet gone shopping... I'm not even lying!  The Silk Market, Night Market, and antique markets have yet to be graced by my presence, but not for long.  On another note, can I mention how insanely cheap everything is here?  My meals average out to be about $8 per day (if that), I can buy a 1.5 L bottle of water for about 50 cents, taxis across the city are usually no more than $6 and I paid $50 for internet use for three and a half months!  That is going to make me really bitter towards Comcast and gas prices when I return to Boulder, but it sure is bliss for now.

 

I have made a new website with all my pictures for ease of browsing... and have so many stories/awkward encounters/fascinating conversations that I can't wait to share with you when I get back this summer/next fall. Until my next update...

 

Zaijian, Pengyoumen...

JOCELYN