Anyway, so how do we begin? I've been here for officially two weeks now...really? Dang, it seems way longer than that. But of course, it's been nothing but awesome. A few observations:
- Chinese drivers/bikers/motorcyclists are all INSANE. I almost get run over at least 3 times a day. I'm surprised I still haven't witnessed a full on accident yet. You definitely have to have guts to drive around this city. Not to mention the ridiculous amounts of honking...the noise on the streets is officially my early morning alarm clock.
- Street food is AMAZING and CHEAP. If you know where to go, you can get a delicious meal for 3 to 4 RMB (about 50 cents). AWESOME. But also...
- Food here is incredibly unhealthy. I have definitely gained some weight and I eat really greasy, oily food and not enough vegetables. It's pretty bad, not gonna lie...
- Massages are great. So far I've only gotten back and foot massages, but it's definitely nice having a place close by that pretty darn cheap (46 RMB, about $6). We estimate massages at least once a week =)
- McDonald's is EVERYWHERE. They're a lot cleaner than the ones at home but the food is about the same. It's nice having french fries though =D. I've also tried Pizza Hut and Papa John's, both of which are supposed to be really nice, sit-down type of restaurants. It's actually kind of bizarre because the waiters/waitresses all have to dress up in nice uniforms and stuff. Mmm...pizza. Still have yet to try KFC, which is also a really big chain here, apparently. I hate KFC at home so we'll have to see...
- Speaking of American chains, Starbucks is a pretty strong presence as well, although their prices are the same but their grande size is the same as a tall in the US. LAME. What's more interesting is the copycat chains that look exactly like Starbucks (I think my roommate told me there's even one called Buckstar? Pretty ridiculous). We tried to go to a coffee shop at 9 am but it was CLOSED. What the hell? Apparently they don't drink coffee as a pick-me-up in the mornings, boo...
- I really, really, REALLY need to learn Chinese. Desperately. I can get around okay but mostly because I have Ellen and my roommate to do all the talking for me. But it really kind of sucks to make them have to do my bargaining for me. I've only been bargain shopping once so far (all I got were a pair of shoes =P) but it can be pretty intense. Unfortunately, I seem to have extremeley picky taste in clothes. I just can't see myself wearing this kind of stuff...boo. It also doesn't help that I'm actually out of things to wear...
- There is a WalMart close to our school. It's four stories tall. They sell snakes to eat there, as well as other bizarre Chinese things... Crazy.
- Beard Papa cream puffs. They're here. 'Nuf said.
- Everyone smokes. It's gross and I can't breathe. My lungs are so unhappy with me since I've been here. The worst is after a night of clubbing when you literally have to burn your clothes because of the awful stench of smoke that completely covers it. Bleh.
- Our beds don't have matresses... At first it was a bit upsetting but I think I've gotten used to sleeping on a wooden board. This had better be good for my back or at least have some benefits...
- There are not enough taxis in this city. If you're lucky, you'll be at a place where they just line up outside for you. But it's taken me up to half an hour just to find a fricken empty taxi. BOO.
- Bakeries are my favorite. I can't get enough of their bread and their bizarre pastries. SO DELICIOUS.
- Xiaolongbao in the Yuyuan gardens
Anyways, two weeks, what's happened? When I first arrived, my room was completely trashed (in a sense). The light didn't work, there were burn holes in curtain and bed and the bathroom was revolting...pee stains on the toilet UGH. So the next day my roommate Jessi and I bonded over cleaning the bathroom. We bleached everything. Twice.
The people on the program are super fun. It's like you arrive and you're immediately friends with 60 new people. All of us are from some form of UC (although Berkeley dominates with 22 people, what what, represent!) but there are other people from all over the world. I have Aussie friends, yay! And man...Aussie's are so cool/funny...solely because of the way they say things =P. Love it.
Anyway, I have much more to say probably, but it's movie time. Hopefully I'll find a way to post some pictures later!
1 comment:
horrible. So now that I've started reading your blogs, all I want to do is read about all of your adventures in China....but there's no more! The place sounds way fun and I'm jealous of your 50 cent meals.
Post a Comment