The New Times

Middle Earth

That is what the Chinese world for China translates to in English.

Yeah we went there, I was there for two weeks. We stayed in a happy hostel with lots of happy backpackers. Backpackers are nice and freindly and have the same amount of direction in life as me, and I like that.

We were in Beijing the whole time, a big smoggy city, full of high rise buildings, shopping malls, crazy drivers and cyclists, and amazing restaurants. Chinese food is probably my favourite, although when we had a leg of lamb the night I got home that was pretty awesome. Also it didn't make my mouth feel like it was about to fall out which was kind of relaxing.

I have never been so cold, not even skiing, as we were one day in Beijing, we couldn't be outside at all the wind was so vicious. Thermal underwear everyday, everyday, everyday.

Most days we met up with our friend who Conor met one day on the subway while I was still in Australia. He might have been an angel. One of the advantages of being in China was that living is SO CHEAP there. And as you may know Conor and I are getting married in June, and we still have quite a lot of preparations to make. While we were in China our friend took us to all the best spots for shopping, determined that we would find the things we needed. Rings, suits, shoes, fabric for The Dress, etc. He helped us buy everything, and at a good price. In China its wierd, things have price tags, but only an idiot would pay the marked price. Ususally you should pay about a third. Also if you have a Chinese friend, you are a lot less likely to get ripped off. The shop keeper that sold us Conor's ring even said to us that we wouldn't have got it for half as cheap if our friend hadn't been with us.

I think there is something different about China, there is an openness that means that it really doesn't take long to be close to people, or maybe it was just this guy. Anyway he is a really really good friend and when we left it was really, really sad. We will go back there soon.

He organised a leaving party for us the night before we flew home, at his friends' restaurant. We ate for 3 and a half hours, they just kept bringing more and more food. Us three, a French guy who has been in China for three years and is fluent in Mandarin, a Swiss guy who is similar, a Chinese guy who also spoke French, a Chinese guy who only spoke Chinese, and Auntie, the lady who owned the restaurant who only spoke Chinese but smiled a lot and talked to me, only I never had any idea what she was saying. Its not like Spanish which you can kind of work out. No it is just wierd talk, I think it sounds really really nice to listen to. Yeah and in the restaurant, if you need to go to the bathroom, you have to go to the hotel up the road. Also there is no heating in the restaurant, just lots of people smoking.

While we were in China we went to an International Church, they were advertising an Alpha course starting the second week I was there. So we took our friend along. Most people in China don't know anything about God. It is so different. Its not like they have been to carol services and easter services at church every year for the past 24 years and have heard it all before. It is completely new to them, and so exciting. Its is so crazy that they can run Alpha in that place because prosletism is illegal. Nice work Alpha.

In conclusion China IS where its at. I had my suspicions before I went, going there has confirmed them.

posted by Lucia @ 08:04