China- The Good, the Bad and the Stinky!

Well I have survived my second week living in China! I wanted to write sooner, to jot down my first impressions and such, but I have been so busy with work, that I haven't gotten a chance until now. China is an interesting place. Guangzhou has many foreigners, and the bars and clubs are filled with friendly Canadians, Europeans, and people from all around the world. I did a lot of reading about China before I came here, to try and lessen the culture shock. One thing that really rang true is the spitting. I have learned to look down when I walk, and no longer get disgusted by people hoarking anywhere- even in restaurants. To be fair, they are not to blame. The air quality here is so bad. There are definitely very "interesting" unpleasant smells! We got a whiff of something nasty today in my classroom! The people here are really friendly. I enjoy walking to work and being greeted with a friendly, "Nihao!" from shop owners and passer-byers. I don't think I have experienced a huge culture shock...at least not yet. The worst thing about it was my apartment and its lack of heat and hot water, but it is warmer now, hot water is back, and it is actually becoming quite cosy.

Things I have learned so far:

How to say rice, thank you, the bill, takeout, hello, turn right and go straight in Mandarin

How to climb over 30 flights of stairs per day without passing out!

How to ignore gross sounds and smells

That what you expect when you order is not necessarily what you are going to get. In fact, most of the time it is not.

Not to take a bus without other foreigners unless you want to get stared at ogled.

How to find pizza, pasta, and other Western foodJ also, the quickest way to get to McDonalds!

Appreciate the good things, accept what I cannot change, and enjoy the experience here and now.

I do miss my family and friends dearly, but between work, sightseeing, and eating, I barely even have time to sleep. Even though I am so busy, and so far from home, I feel so healthy! I think about my friends and fam. everyday though.

I haven't managed to find all the great shopping places everyone always talks about. But I plan to go exploring later on in the week, so hopefully I will come across something.

Until next time! MUAHXOXOXOXO