My First Week in China
Written in 2014
Everything in China is different: the language, the toilets, the utensils, the food, etc. But surprisingly, I am content (I know this is largely due to staying with my friend Melissa and her husband. Thank you Melissa if you’re reading this!!) Even when I arrived in Beijing on my own a week ago, I was not overwhelmed. Maybe it’s because I’ve gotten used to being the foreigner or that new kid on the block who looks like a fish out of water. Maybe it’s because I didn’t come to China, straight from the comforts and familiarity of home, but from Spain where I struggled to find my footing. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, wiser, and confident.
I think it’s a combination of reasons. Whatever the reason, I am taking everything this country has to offer—the good and bad—in stride. I’ve learned that’s all you can do.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve:
Been to the Great Wall
Eaten Beijing Duck
Had my luggage lost
Toured the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square
Saw a college buddy
Learned various Chinese words (mostly related to food)
Got a 1.5 hour body massage
Went to the wrong airport and missed my flight
Took pictures with the locals and felt like a celebrity
Started my internship
Eaten dumplings (now one of my favorite foods)
Eaten food I couldn’t identify
Been invited to a family dinner and witnessed Chinese toasting and drinking culture
Learned (still learning) how to use chopsticks
Until next time,
Chelsea
Sounds like you have done a lot in your short time there thus far!…Have a great rest of the week…
Thank you! You too!
wouaow!!! you’re seeing all the sights and spicy wonton at that! I’m jelly! 🙂
What an amazing experience! It looks like you know how to tKe full advantage of being immersed into a new culture. Bravo!
Thank you!
Those pictures look absolutely amazing! Followed your blog, can’t wait to see and read more of your adventures ^_^
Thank you! If you want to be sure you don´t miss a post I would love it if you liked my facebook page. facebook.com/rookienotes 🙂
Will do that thank you :D!
So what is the internship? Did I miss something, or did you not tell us what took you all the way to China?
Hehehe. You are good! No, I never posted why I left Spain and went to China. I am still considering if I am going to. I think I may…so stay tuned!
Sounds like you’re having a amazing time (even if there’s been some bumps in the road), I hope you keep enjoying China 🙂
Yes I am. I think the bumps in the road make the story more interesting and I learn more in the end 🙂
Couldn’t agree more!
Great post! 🙂 Love the sharp, to the point, summary!
Glad you liked it!
Great post! Thanks for taking me there again! Nice place and different. I loved Beijing duck when I visited this hugh city before couple of years. 🙂 Bye. Kamila
The Beijing duck is sooooo good!
Looks like you’re having a good time so far! I hope you’ll enjoy your life in China!
Thank you!
My life…hahahaha. We´ll we never know :’)
Great photos! Some advice from a long term China dweller. If you really want to immerse in the culture try to find a good language teacher. Learn some reading and writing too. It’s a very long term project but even the most linguistic of folks seldom get far without formal teaching. With it you have a key to so many doors you’d never have noticed before. If you’re short on cash you can always trade off with English lessons (but watch out Chinese can be very pushy so if you do that be sure to have clearly designated times.) Enjoy China in all it’s wonderful aspects.
That is good sound advice! Thank you :’)
Thank you for following my blog. I think I need to join you on your trip. (Great pictures too.)
Thank you!
Thank you! I´ll see you there!
Such an amazing experience! And your pictures look great 🙂
Oh man, this makes me nostalgic! I hope you’re loving your time there; it seems that you’ve done so much already 🙂