As I continued to walk down the street, I found designer clothing store after another. I had to laugh as I realized I had been eating in a hole in the walk Chinese food place for about 8 kuai (a little more than a dollar) basically one street over from restaurants that would cost more than I spend in a week.
In a way this is a good example of the difference in many Beijingers lives. On one end you people for whom an 8 kuai lunch would be a splurge, and on the other would have bought an Aston Martin without thinking twice. People in the rural areas are barred from moving to the cities (many still do so illegally) and have little access to the job and education opportunities available to even the poorest Chinese citizen living in the city.
China is far from perfect. I often find myself wondering how anyone can live here. You don't always feel the presence of "big brother," but he is always around. You don't feel the Chinese government's presence as you walk down the street. I have seen maybe ten police cars since I have been in Beijing. However, you do feel its presence while doing research on the internet as certain websites simply will not open (which becomes REALLY frustrating). Somethings just get annoying. Like ho people are constantly spitting, or how parents cut holes in the back of their children's pants so they can go to the bathroom where ever they please.
However, other times you wonder if you can ever leave. The people make you love China. If the people who go out of their way to make sure you find the building you are looking for. It's the little kids who run up to you and want to try out any English word they might know. And it's the people who tell you how absolutely fabulous your Chinese is even though you both know its terrible.
With less than a month before I return home, I have found myself reflecting on my time in China now more than ever. I will be happy to return to the states. I cannot wait to have Mexican food...and a good salad. I am going to appreciate the air quality back at home and not having coughing attacks after I go on a run because of the poor air quality. But, I am really going to miss Beijing. I am going to miss the REALLY REALLY good Chinese food. Honestly, the stuff back in the states cannot begin to compare. I am going to miss all my Chinese friends and the fun we have had learning about each other's culture. Most of all I am going to miss miss the people as a whole. The people here treat foreigners with far more respect than we ever treat foreigners back in America (which makes me quite sad). For all the faults you might find with the Chinese government or even with the Chinese people, the longer you stay here the more you realize the Chinese citizens are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.
With less than a month before I return home, I have found myself reflecting on my time in China now more than ever. I will be happy to return to the states. I cannot wait to have Mexican food...and a good salad. I am going to appreciate the air quality back at home and not having coughing attacks after I go on a run because of the poor air quality. But, I am really going to miss Beijing. I am going to miss the REALLY REALLY good Chinese food. Honestly, the stuff back in the states cannot begin to compare. I am going to miss all my Chinese friends and the fun we have had learning about each other's culture. Most of all I am going to miss miss the people as a whole. The people here treat foreigners with far more respect than we ever treat foreigners back in America (which makes me quite sad). For all the faults you might find with the Chinese government or even with the Chinese people, the longer you stay here the more you realize the Chinese citizens are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet.
