Ok I can't really put China in a nutshell. It is too big, too crazy, too varied, and I have way too small an understanding... but I can summarize my experiences thus far.
So.
FOOD
pros: It's delicious. Dumplings (Jiaozi or Baozi), Kung Pow Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding) and fried green beans to name a few
cons: It's delicious. And oily, fatty, grisly, and most likely filled with gutter grease and sewage. Also very weird at times. I really have a disturbing love for donkey burgers.
LIVING SITUATION
pros: It's free. It's on campus, I don't have far to walk to class (like, it's out my door).
cons: Campus is in the middle of nowhere. To get anywhere I have to bike, taxi or walk. (which takes time, money or is exhausting). There are a lot of stairs.
pros: stairs and biking means working off that gutter grease.
cons: my bike is about one second from exploding at all times
TEACHING
pros: i'm getting better. I think. the kids are so sweet. it's fun sometimes.
cons: I'm really not getting better, that was a lie.
pros: there are only two months left
CHINA ITSELF
pros: it's cheap. it's exciting. it's interesting. people are nice when they aren't pushing and shoving and cutting in line (haha what line).
cons: people are always pushing and shoving and cutting in line. it's smoggy. it smells terrible most of the time.
pros: i can put off showering for weeks and nobody notices. i can (and do) wear the same clothes for days (and days) in a row without washing them
OTHER
con: internet is super slow
pro: at least I have internet in my room
con: teaching 1000 kids is exhausting and I'm always tired because my bed is rock hard.
pro: ?
So.
FOOD
pros: It's delicious. Dumplings (Jiaozi or Baozi), Kung Pow Chicken (Gong Bao Ji Ding) and fried green beans to name a few
cons: It's delicious. And oily, fatty, grisly, and most likely filled with gutter grease and sewage. Also very weird at times. I really have a disturbing love for donkey burgers.
LIVING SITUATION
pros: It's free. It's on campus, I don't have far to walk to class (like, it's out my door).
cons: Campus is in the middle of nowhere. To get anywhere I have to bike, taxi or walk. (which takes time, money or is exhausting). There are a lot of stairs.
pros: stairs and biking means working off that gutter grease.
cons: my bike is about one second from exploding at all times
TEACHING
pros: i'm getting better. I think. the kids are so sweet. it's fun sometimes.
cons: I'm really not getting better, that was a lie.
pros: there are only two months left
CHINA ITSELF
pros: it's cheap. it's exciting. it's interesting. people are nice when they aren't pushing and shoving and cutting in line (haha what line).
cons: people are always pushing and shoving and cutting in line. it's smoggy. it smells terrible most of the time.
pros: i can put off showering for weeks and nobody notices. i can (and do) wear the same clothes for days (and days) in a row without washing them
OTHER
con: internet is super slow
pro: at least I have internet in my room
con: teaching 1000 kids is exhausting and I'm always tired because my bed is rock hard.
pro: ?
You are such a great writer! China sounds tough. However, the irregular baths sounds nice. Miss you!
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