The Chinese Wrap-Up
So I am no officially back in the States. I’ve basically settled into my two homes again, but the whole fact that I’m here for good and not going back to Beijing anytime soon has really settled in yet. I still keep thinking that this is just a vacation and that I’ll be back in the European flat in a couple days. Eventually that’ll set in, but for now I’m still just relaxing, and trying to get onto a normal schedule.
But right now it’s time for my finals thoughts and observations from China.
1 – YOU GET USED TO SMOKE
I noticed that I had gotten used to the smell of smoke when I arrived home and didn’t realize that all my clothes reeked of smoke. Also, the smell of smoke doesn’t seem to really bother me anymore. I guess this is just what happens when you live in a city where everyone seems to smoke everywhere, and when you 3 flat mates also smoke a considerable amount.
2 – DRIVING IS LIKE RIDING A BIKE
I wasn’t sure how long it would take me, but I got right back into the swing of driving the first time I got to take my car out. And on a good note, I don’t think I’ve picked up any bad habits from Beijing cab drivers. So I only have my own old bad habits to worry about on the road.
3 – CHINESE NEW YEAR, OR BEIJING AT WAR?
So I got the experience of Chinese New Year, in Beijing. And this was the first year in ages when the people were allowed to set off fireworks inside the city for the New Year. And did they ever… I spent Fourth of July in New York City, and saw quite a fireworks display from the city, but that was nothing. On New Years (end of January approximately), just about half the population of Beijing (not exactly a small number) set off fireworks outside their buildings. Now this means millions of fireworks going off, in the streets, all over the city. Safety pretty much went out the window. I saw one person set off a firework that ricocheted off the power lines right above. Now not only is he shooting fire balls into power lines, they also managed to bounce in every direction. I’m surprised that half the population didn’t get seriously maimed in the process.
4 – CHINA IS FAR AWAY…
Yes, this does seem like a simple idea, but in today’s world where everyone is interconnected and it’s easy to fly anywhere or keep in touch with anyone around the world I forgot just how fat away it is. I was quickly reminded though after roughly 20 hours of traveling to get back home (2 hours to/at the airport, 12 hours to Chicago, 1 hour for Customs, 3 hour lay-over, 2 hours to Rochester, etc.).
5 - …BUT IT IS A SMALL WORLD
The world may be large, but I still managed to sit next to a girl on my flight back to Rochester who was just on her way back from her 6 months studying in Germany. True, Germany, China, not exactly the same place. But she had also been there for 6 months, had just finished up her college degree while over there, was planning on heading to Tahous straight from the airport (I was too tired to do that in the end, but I had originally planned to), had found a romantic interest over there, and held out until the last possible minute in order to return. Also, the odds of ending up sitting next to her were ridiculously small too, seeing as how there had to be about 25 people on our plane that seated about 100.
6 – WAKING UP EARLY IS OVER-RATED
I never liked getting up early, and now I know why…nothing is open! My sleep has been a bit off, so I got up at like 3 am yesterday, and finally left the house at like 9, only to find that the bank had pretty much just opened, half the mall was still waiting to open, the sub shop at Wegmans still had an hour to open, no movies were playing for another 3 and a half hours, etc. So to all those people who always said I slept the day away, so what. There’s nothing open to do early in the morning anyway. I think I’ll keep sleeping in till early afternoon anytime I can, when everything that I want to do will actually be open.
7 – OLD HABITS COME BACK FAST
It only took me a day and a half before I went back into my old habit of heading to the movies, generally alone. My first movie back – Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was a bit strange to see the actors keep growing up, but I guess it works for the movie. Plus it was another pretty good movie in the Potter series. Not sure if it was the best, but it had its moments (Although some of it did seem a bit rushed at times in order to fit more of the book into it).
8 – I’M NOT BROKE!
When I was returning home I knew that I wouldn’t have much money left. In fact, at the Chicago airport I was unable to take out money from the ATM because I only had $21.20 left in my one account (and there was a $1.50 service fee). But, upon return from China I found that I still had (or more accurately now had) $400 in my checking account! That was a very pleasant surprise.
9 – I MISSED YOU
This was easily my most missed non-living thing. I can’t tell you how good it felt to have a strong, long, hot shower without water spilling all over the bathroom because I once again had a tub.
10(a) – I WILL MISS YOU (until next summer)
This was the first group of friends that I had to say goodbye to. I can’t remember exactly how many hours I spent over at their flat, generally just vegging out and putting off doing work. It was my second home away from home (see #10 for my first) and I could always go there to just relax and unwind (or play an impromptu game of Hold’em). It was hard saying goodbye, but both Adam and Chris claim that they will be visiting the States (and me, and Vegas) next summer once they turn 21. So at least there’s that strong chance that I will get to see them again soon.
10(b) – I WILL REALLY MISS YOU
No offense to the Brits, but this last group of goodbyes was the hardest. The European birds welcomed me so readily into their home, and their flat quickly (within about a week of them moving out of the hotel) became my home away from home. I was never fully comfortable living in the dorm/hotel, but as soon as I set foot in their flat I knew that I was home. I want to thank them all for their hospitality and warmness in welcoming me in. It was especially hard to say goodbye to Alma, who was my closest and dearest friend in Beijing. I would have been lost without her (and her nice warm bed).
So there is the final wrap-up from my China experiences. I sure there will be more little things here and there, but for the most part I think that covers it all. After a very rough and rocky start I really settled in and had one of the most wonderful and memorable times of my life. And most of that was thanks to the fantastic people I met along the way. So to all of you that I met along the way, thank you for making China what it was.