Travel Blog #3: The Rollercoaster

Hi!

This time difference really smacked me in the face last night! I just couldn’t go to sleep, and neither could Veronica. We stayed up until FIVE IN THE MORNING because, you know, essentially our bodies still think it’s 5PM.

Day 3: yesterday seemed like two days, or a day in two different extremes: it was up, then down. We had our morning class which was great! We learned a lot about the history of China and Chinese culture. Here’s a few things we learned:

⁃ Beijing is the size of New York, Paris, London, Seoul, and Tokyo put together…times three.

⁃ It’s not polite to say many people’s first names. For example, I would call my elder brothers, “elder brother,” I would never say Kyle or Kenny.

⁃ It’s looked at as weird to carry cash, or a wallet. Everything you need can be accessed on your phone through an app called “WeChat” and it’s app extensions.

⁃ Some stores don’t even accept cash (see above).

Interesting, right? That’s not even the half of it. After our morning class, myself along with my peers from Hampton (Veronica, Danielle and Chelsea) went to lunch. It was decent, I got crispy chicken along with sweet mushroom chicken and rice.

In our afternoon class, we learned Chinese Calligraphy. My symbol means, “beautiful.”

Now, here’s the quick rundown of the “downs” in opposed to the “ups” of the day – learning experiences, of course. I know I’m African American, which is abnormal here, but I wasn’t expecting people to walk up to me (and Chelsea) and start touching our hair! We were extremely uncomfortable. It was 98 degrees and the heat was unbearable. My nail (I have on acrylics) split. I’m struggling to find food that I can truly enjoy.

All in all, the aforementioned experiences are definitely lessons learned. Chelsea and I were still freaked out but are trying to take the stares and hair touches as compliments. (When she went to dinner, someone took a picture of her…yikes.) I have no choice but to deal with this weather – it’s JULY, and today it’s going to be 101 degrees. Eventually I’ll find a nail shop, some good food to eat, and some sleep.

Let’s see what today brings!

再见 (Bye)!

Kyla