EPTI don't generally like writing blogs but, I don't really get out a lot anymore so writing some of my thoughts about my visit to the PRC might be fun! Note: I'm a first generation Chinese American, I've been to china in my youth but it's been 6 years since my last visit. I'm going to be chilling with my family in Beijing, sometimes in our apartment, othertimes at a Holiday Inn.
The Flight
I have a confession. I can barely speak and understand chinese mandarin speech, let alone writing. I speak chinese with my parents, but my vocabulary has dwindled to the point of almost needing to insert english phrases, which obviously won't pass in China. So, low and behold... when I get to the ticketing agent, she expects me to speak chinese =/. Luckily, I don't need to say much, ticket... one, and then I'm off to the gigantic international security line.
Once I get on the flight, I am immediately greeted with two issues. One, a loud crying baby in the seat next to me, short term... whatever it's a daytime flight I'll just walk around the plane. Two, half the luggage didn't make it on the flight, so I might have to pick up my luggage tomorrow. What?
Touchdown
I got lucky, my baggage was at the claim area. First thing I notice when I get to Beijing, wholy crap smog. Like, I was told there would be smog but, it's pretty incredible, like a fog of dust. Whatever, get to hotel, get online, check email and shit (Lol Google.com.hk) and figure out a lot of sites are blocked. But woo TeamLiquid is with me.
Shopping
So, first thing's first is, I need to go get myself a SIM Card. Low and behold, I thought I was being smart in getting GSM Compatible phones. HURR DURRRRR, the major phone companies in China use CDMA. But, Luckily China Unicom supports "WCDMA" -> a.k.a GSM, so was chill. 100 Yuan and I'm on my way. I was thinking of spending 600 Yuan for 6GB IPad Data (the smallest plan), but like... no. I was like, I just want to surf the web, how am I going to use 6GB? and they're like... uhhh, go download movies or some shit?
Etiquette
So, this is just a remark on the different ettiquites culturally that I've observed. So far, I've gotten pushed around a LOT. Like, people have no qualms about touching you, pushing past you if you're too slow, etc. Even on the airplane like, I'm on a line and it's going nowhere, but this guy behind me is pushing me forward. Happened multiple times on multiple lines, they're straining their necks like ostriches, desperately wanting to go forward instead of chillin' out.
BUT, despite all this pushing and shoving,
Ending Note:
I'm getting around alright. Lots of english all around Beijing, so speaking chinese is really only necessary for a) ordering food and b) buying stuff. No one has really figured out I'm a foreigner yet, but I do get some funny looks.
I'll end the note with a picture. Fast Food joints here can establish a new reputation, Micky D's is about the same, but.... Pizza hutt:
![[image loading]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/MarcheRad/IMG_0002.jpg)
