Beijing, Take 1

Ever since I started taking Chinese, I knew that I wanted to live in China. I just didn't know how to get there. So instead, I just studied Chinese, thinking that I was getting better, and didn't sound like such an incompetent American. Well, they say ignorance is bliss, and man, was my life in America blissful.

Nothing could prepare me for Beijing (北京）. Sure, I got a tutor, and talked to her twice a week. And yes, I did study when I could, practicing my tones and writing out the characters. But really, I was screwed. That became painfully obvious about 1 week ago, when I found myself in the heart of Beijing. I stepped off the bus (after a 12 hour plane ride), met my family, and proceeded to feel all the Chinese I had learned dash out of my head as though it was preparing for the 100 meter sprint at the Olympics. Going home with my family seemed terrifying, as I could already tell that we had a little bit of a communication issue. My only thought was, charades anyone?

My school is quite nice (granted, most things compared to Davis High are). The only problem is, getting to my classroom is a bit of a struggle. Turns out (and they didn't put this in the brochure when I signed up, fyi) that we have to walk up 6 flights of stairs before we get to level of the building that all the SYA classrooms are on. Naturally my first thought went to the elevator that I saw when I walked into the door. But no, that is only used for cargo, and teachers. So while our teachers get rocketed up 6 flights of stairs by modern technology, the rest of us students walk up, arriving to class drenched in sweat and out of breath. Lovely.

But I am painting the wrong picture of my time here in Beijing. This was not my intention I swear. I am simply trying to point out that adjusting to life here was not something I could have anticipated. This city is so different from small town Davis, where everything is normal and safe. Here, it is an adventure just getting to school. If there is a strong system by which the traffic moves, I haven't discovered it yet. Instead, you see people jumping out of the way of buses and taxi's as they sit on their horns and speed through intersections. I have gotten to be a much better biker, needless to say.

There are a bunch of nice little shops, hairdressers, and everything you could possible want everywhere in Beijing. In fact, to the right of the school gates and down the first alley way is a nice little dumpling place that people go to for lunch and during free time. Mostly during free time, I just sit in the quietest room I can find and try to put a dent in my homework load. Normally, I get sidetracked. But I love the atmosphere here. Most of the other 53 Americans that came with me on this new adventure are very nice and very chatty. I have made some good friends here. Maybe I will even be able to keep in touch with them after this, who knows?

Hm, it is time for me to do more homework. More later. Because I am new to the whole blogging business, I'm not very good at writing them. However, they will get better, I promise. Just bear with me. :) peace out.