Scenery
It is much nicer here than I anticipated. Not that I expected China to be a dump or anything, but since China has poor air quality and a ton of people, I guess I expected it to be worse off (I'm sure in some places it's worse and in some places it's nicer). Something I noticed that contributes to the cleanliness (on the streets) is that there are people (like a community custodian) that sweep the sidewalks and remove the garbage.
Side note on the topic of garbage: in China, everything is thrown into the garbage; that includes compost, recyclables, plastics, paper, all of it. I cringe as I put things in the trash because it makes me feel bad. It only takes a few seconds to sort and I don't mind doing it. There are workers whose job is to sort through all the garbage.
Even though I haven't been to New York, I hear that Shanghai is similar to New York - I can see it being true. The city parts have several stores and is always vey busy. There are neon signs, billboards, and flashy lights. However, I also hear that other parts of China are quiet and more simple. I would say that the area I live in is a mix of the two. Something I noticed right away was how packed China is. Every where you look there is something to see. The amount of buildings and trees in one block is impressive, it is all compressed in. I think this is one of my favorite things so far. I can stand in one spot and notice so much, only to go back the same day and see different things I didn't notice before. All of it is really beautiful.
People and Dogs
The people in China are entertaining. I am certainly getting some confused stares. Sometimes it feels weird and is annoying, like I just want to be a part of it all and blend in like a regular. Some people will stare with a scowl on their face and others will give you a big smile. Then on the other hand, it does feel cool to be noticed. It's funny to see people pass me and continue to stare even after we have passed each other. I've only caused one small collision (that I'm aware of) with someone on a bike. (Don't worry, they were fine, just ran into the sidewalk curb). It makes me feel famous, especially when Shelbi and I leave our schools for the day and we exit the gates and walk down the red ribbon walk way with security guards and parents waving to us. Shelbi has even had people ask to take pictures with her! Blonde hair in China is rare.
I have my regulars that I encounter and it's always nice to see them. First, there is the 'egg lady'. Shelbi and I get jianbing from her about 5 times a week for breakfast. Thankfully, she is right outside our apartment area. She has grown to recognize us and remember what we like in the wrap - which is very kind. One day I was walking back to the apartment and I passed her along the way (in a different area where I usually see her). I didn't recognize her at first, but she noticed me and give me a big smile. It made me feel apart of the community.
Also, by the entrance to our apartment area is the convenience store ladies. I have no idea who they are really, but the same ladies are always there when I go in. I think they find Shelbi and I amusing. This is where we get water, snacks, noodle bowls, oatmeal, and laundry soap (of course there's other things there too).
Next to the convenience store is a fruit store, but I find them pricey and their fruit isn't the freshest. So, Shelbi and I go to a different store that is a whiles walk about from us, but is on our route to and from school which makes it easy to stop by on the way back to the apartment (another good convenience store is beside this good fruit store). There is a younger woman at the good fruit store and she always waves to us as we walk by. Her store also has music normally playing in it.
One day when Shelbi and I were walking back from school, we crossed paths with a big, black dog (looked like a giant retriever/great dane) and his owner. One of Shelbi's goals while here is to pat every dog. Of course this dog was quite excited to be patted and the owner looked happy. He's a sweet, older man, and he seems like he would be a funny guy. We've crossed paths with him several times. We've even seen him without his dog, but he makes sure that he tries his best to explain to us (with gestures) where he is (like at home sleeping). We also found out that he lives in our same apartment area. Another reassuring thing that makes me feel apart of the community.
In our apartment area, closer to our apartment there is a little sitting area and open pavement. Often times there is a group of people there with their dogs. The owners chat, while the dogs show off their outfits. Yes, outfits. I'm sure they even have pjs too. My favorite outfit I've seen so far is a small poodle in overalls. The clothes have an area cut out for them to squat, etc. so it's hilarious to see them in clothes and then just a fluff ball for a butt stick out the back end. I've also seen their ears and tail dyed (orange, green, and purple, it was quite the statement). Sometimes I imagine this group of people to be like a book group, except instead of reading and discussing the book, they just gossip and complain. It's entertaining to imagine.
While of course I will keep my eyes open and guard up, I do feel quite safe here. I expected to have to look out for creeps and thieves, but so far so good! People seem to not really care, except to glare. Regardless though, just in case, I keep my bag zipped up and under my arm. It is a relief to feel safe in such a different place. More than anything, people either want to sell you something or are just curious.
Lifestyle
I'm still learning about this, but here is what I have noticed so far:
1. Even though they might give tough love, people love their kids. The child gets treated like royalty
and everything is done with them in mind.
2. People like to spit everywhere. It a disgusting sound.
3. Some people will go head over heels to help you even if it is inconvenient to them. So, if people
do a favour for you or give you a gift, you should return the favour.
4. Chinese people are not afraid to blare the horn (or continuously ring the bell).
5. Everyone has their eyes glued to their phone, like watching full movies while they're walking.
6. They think 'thank you' and 'you're welcome' isn't necessary.
7. Young kid has to pee? *One sec, I'll pull the car over so you can pull down their pants and let
them pee on the side of the road.*
8. Everything is in plastic bags, even if you order a drink, they put the to-go cup in a plastic bag (I'm
assuming it is for people who rode a bike or motor bike - they can hang it from the handles).
9. When the children go off to university, the parents get a dog and that dog gets treated like a child.
Transportation
If you're in someone's way, you may get ran over or bumped into if you don't move. When people travel, they are on a mission and zoom past you. The rules of the road are not really followed. *Oh, it's a red light? That's ok, I think I'll continue to drive anyways.* People will even drive on the sidewalk. A lot of people have motor scooters. What's annoying about these is that they are either loud and blaring the horn, or they are very quiet and you can't hear them come up behind you. It's cute to see the kids on these because they're either holding on for dear life in the back or are in the front between the other person and the steering wheel. On rainy days (it's only rained once here so far in 3 weeks!), they have capes that covers the people wearing them as well as the front of their bikes. It makes me laugh to see a kid pop their head out through the little clear patch in the front so they too can see where they are going. These capes come in many colors, but my personal favorite are the red ones because they remind me of E.T. making his great escape (in the red hoodie in the basket of the boy's bicycle).
Bicycles are a big thing here too. What's neat is that there are a bunch of random bikes everywhere and anyone can use them. They all have chips in them and you scan the code with your phone and unlock it (with a very small payment of what I believe is 0.50$ Canadian for 30 mins!). I'd like to try this one day, but am also hesitant to because of all the traffic. Also, it is rare to see someone wearing a helmet, including the kids.
In my opinion, it is easier to walk everywhere - it takes longer, but then you don't have to worry about finding a parking spot or be stuck in traffic. The small spaces vehicles squeeze through is so impressive that it's scary. Word of advice if you are walking: wear good shoes and look out for random short posts (to keep the cars out of certain areas). During one of our first days here, Shelbi and I walked 15km with our bags and dazed, jet legged selves.
There are buses to take, but it is sometimes a hit or miss. We've managed to find a bus that leaves near the metro and takes us to our city school and a different one that takes us closer to out apartment. Buses stop long enough for you to get on, but not long enough to grab onto something so you don't fall. I've been tossed around a bus a few times. There are taxi's, but it's difficult to flag one down. I've never been in one so I can't tell you my experience with them yet.
The metro is a thrill. 95% of the time it's packed. People are so close to you that they are standing on your shoes/you are standing on their shoes. Shelbi and I find it funny sometimes and annoying other times. If you have to go a long distance, it's best you find a seat or a wall to lean against. Even if we get a seat, I sometimes feel bad that others (older people) are standing. So we usually wait to sit down until others that need the seat more have had a chance to sit. Sitting rights on the bus and metro belong to the elderly, pregnant ladies or people with babies, and injured people. The metro is quite handy and while it can be confusing if you're not paying attention, it is simple and takes you anywhere you need to go. The map is difficult for me to explain clearly, but basically you get on a 'line' and follow that line until you get to your destination, or you ride the metro until you get to a spot where you can transfer to another 'line' that will take you to where you need to go. In the train, there is a map of the different lines and stops that it makes. There is also a voice that says it in Chinese and one with an British accent (mine and Shelbi's personal fav).
To convenient stores and egg lady outside out apartment area = 5 min of walking
To our local school = 15-20 mins of walking
Walking to the metro = 25-30 mins
Bus #99 to the metro = 7 min of walking and (depending on traffic) 5 min bus ride
Metro to city school (Pacican) = 1 hour, 5 min bus (#55) ride, 5 mins walking
-We take line 3 for from West Yingao Road, stay on for 6 stops, get off at Baoshan Road and
transfer to line 4, stay on for 1 stop, get off at Hailun Road.
For both the bus and metro, we have a swipe card and the cost depends on how far you travel. In the metro station, there are also security checks that require you to place your bag through a scanner. I'm not 100% sure what they are checking for, but I'm assuming it is for weapons and whatnot.
I've only been lost once and have taken the wrong metro line 3 times.
So far so good!
very good read with my tea and muffin!
ReplyDeleteYay! Just getting Caught up with your blog <3 I get lost so much when I travel!
ReplyDeleteAlso Its Emily Day and miss you!
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