Less than 10 days until I head back to China, which means it's time to dust off the ol' blog. I have some great ideas for showing you guys sides of this ancient country not usually seen or talked about much. As I've said many times before, China has a lot to offer. Check back and find out how. :)
As excited as I am about going back, there are a number of things I will miss.
1) Blue Skies and Fresh Air
It's no secret that much of China experiences worsening air and water pollution. Several days a month will look like these pictures. That's why many people wear masks. There are special masks designed to filter the PM 2.5 pollutants out of the air though many Chinese only don a thin surgical mask.
As excited as I am about going back, there are a number of things I will miss.
1) Blue Skies and Fresh Air
It's no secret that much of China experiences worsening air and water pollution. Several days a month will look like these pictures. That's why many people wear masks. There are special masks designed to filter the PM 2.5 pollutants out of the air though many Chinese only don a thin surgical mask.
2) Friends & Family
I feel like I'm going to meet up with as many people as I'm leaving which makes all of this bittersweet. I'm especially sad to be missing the birth of my best friend's first child. Fortunately, the internet makes constant communication super easy. To get faster blog updates (because Facebook is not easily accessible) sign up for my email mailing here.
3) Mom and Grandma's Homemade Food
I think this would be on most people's lists. There's never anything quite like the taste and smell of your family's homemade cooking. Whether it's the cinnamon rolls, a casserole, or just a simple birthday cake, you'll never be able to find these unique flavors anywhere else in the world.
4) Nature
While China does possess quite a bit of natural habitat, you'll be hard pressed to find much of it in Shanghai. You could actually call it more of a concrete jungle. Quite often you'll see a stray cat or dog roaming around, but it's not the same. They do, however, have many parks and a zoo among other places to visit these scarce non-man made objects.
I feel like I'm going to meet up with as many people as I'm leaving which makes all of this bittersweet. I'm especially sad to be missing the birth of my best friend's first child. Fortunately, the internet makes constant communication super easy. To get faster blog updates (because Facebook is not easily accessible) sign up for my email mailing here.
3) Mom and Grandma's Homemade Food
I think this would be on most people's lists. There's never anything quite like the taste and smell of your family's homemade cooking. Whether it's the cinnamon rolls, a casserole, or just a simple birthday cake, you'll never be able to find these unique flavors anywhere else in the world.
4) Nature
While China does possess quite a bit of natural habitat, you'll be hard pressed to find much of it in Shanghai. You could actually call it more of a concrete jungle. Quite often you'll see a stray cat or dog roaming around, but it's not the same. They do, however, have many parks and a zoo among other places to visit these scarce non-man made objects.
5) My Oven
This might seem crazy, but I would definitely say this is common appliance that we take for granted in the U.S. Full size ovens are not widespread in China where most people cook food that is fried or made into soups in tiny apartments. I found out quickly just how much I relied on this simple appliance when I was faced with the Chinese version: a toaster oven. Thank God Chinese take out isn't as expensive over there as it is here.
This might seem crazy, but I would definitely say this is common appliance that we take for granted in the U.S. Full size ovens are not widespread in China where most people cook food that is fried or made into soups in tiny apartments. I found out quickly just how much I relied on this simple appliance when I was faced with the Chinese version: a toaster oven. Thank God Chinese take out isn't as expensive over there as it is here.
Now that you know what I'm going to miss the most, how about what I'm most excited to see again?
1) Public Transportation
Shanghai has every form of transportation you could want apart from gondolas (as far as I know). Planes, trains, buses, boats, taxis, limos, and a maglev. Believe it or not, I don't miss my car at all. I know you'd believe it if you saw the traffic. Think congestion just about 24/7. My favorite mode of transport is the subway. It's super cheap and can take me everywhere I need to go.
1) Public Transportation
Shanghai has every form of transportation you could want apart from gondolas (as far as I know). Planes, trains, buses, boats, taxis, limos, and a maglev. Believe it or not, I don't miss my car at all. I know you'd believe it if you saw the traffic. Think congestion just about 24/7. My favorite mode of transport is the subway. It's super cheap and can take me everywhere I need to go.
2) Real Chinese Food!
China has no staple food. There are simply too many dishes to name just one or two as the country's food mascot. I don't think it's physically possible for anyone to try every dish that China's 23 provinces have to offer. A few of my favorites include mantou (a type of roll), a cauliflower/pork/other veggie dish and seaweed soup. Sorry everyone, I'll be posting lots pictures in this category.
3) Purposeful and Healthy Diet/Exercise
I'm not a fan of exercising for no reason. You don't actually get anywhere by running on that treadmill. But in China, there's no need to buy that gym membership or wake up super early to go running. Simply live your daily life eating the local food and walking to the nearest subway or train station (and practically everywhere else you need to go) and you're set! The opposite of this would be always eating at U.S. based restaurants and taking taxis everywhere.
China has no staple food. There are simply too many dishes to name just one or two as the country's food mascot. I don't think it's physically possible for anyone to try every dish that China's 23 provinces have to offer. A few of my favorites include mantou (a type of roll), a cauliflower/pork/other veggie dish and seaweed soup. Sorry everyone, I'll be posting lots pictures in this category.
3) Purposeful and Healthy Diet/Exercise
I'm not a fan of exercising for no reason. You don't actually get anywhere by running on that treadmill. But in China, there's no need to buy that gym membership or wake up super early to go running. Simply live your daily life eating the local food and walking to the nearest subway or train station (and practically everywhere else you need to go) and you're set! The opposite of this would be always eating at U.S. based restaurants and taking taxis everywhere.
4) Friends
Of course I'm excited to see all of my Chinese and expat friends again!
5) My Boyfriend
And by extension, his family. It's been a struggle to be apart for so long, but I know we'll be all the stronger for it. We've got a lot of plans for our upcoming time in China together and I'm excited to share all of it with you, my friends and family back home!
There are definitely a lot more items I could add to these lists, but I would be here all night. It's better to let you see what you guys are missing by posting more specific blogs anyway. Post again soon!
Of course I'm excited to see all of my Chinese and expat friends again!
5) My Boyfriend
And by extension, his family. It's been a struggle to be apart for so long, but I know we'll be all the stronger for it. We've got a lot of plans for our upcoming time in China together and I'm excited to share all of it with you, my friends and family back home!
There are definitely a lot more items I could add to these lists, but I would be here all night. It's better to let you see what you guys are missing by posting more specific blogs anyway. Post again soon!