Zai jian
I’ve been home for two and a half weeks now and I’ve got to say I’m really enjoying it. My last two weeks in Chongqing were a blur of parties, presents and packing. There seemed to be dinner, banquet, party, dinner etc etc etc every night for two whole weeks and it was almost a relief to leave just to end the vicious cycle!
Upon leaving Chongqing there were a few tears – especially saying goodbye to those whom I won’t easily be able to contact again. I made a few good friends who don’t speak English – it sounds strange but it is possible! – and I was very sad to leave them especially.
Before leaving China altogether I flew to Beijing for a couple of days where I had a debrief meeting scheduled and where I had also arranged to meet up with the Beijing-based AYADs. We had dessert at a restaurant in San Li Tun (the bar/expat district) and then drinks in an expat bar. I think I was suffering a bit of culture shock at the number of expats around, variety of cuisine available and most of all, the lack of Chinese people in the bar we visited. Not one. Seriously. It was nothing like Chongqing – and it made me appreciate the fact that I hadn’t been based in Beijing. While I sometimes bemoaned the fact that Chongqing is not a cosmopolitan city, I think my experience there has given me much more of an insight into China than living in Beijing would have.
Fortunately I had arranged to meet my friends on the night I arrived in Beijing. I say this because the following day I was struck down with ‘Beijing Belly’ and spent the remainder of my time in China in bed... that’s when I wasn’t chucking up my guts in the bathroom or the hotel lobby. I couldn’t attend my debrief meeting (and Sean was gonna give me a life on his motorbike too – doh!) but the meeting came to me in my hotel room (in pjs – tres chic).
Unfortunately the dodgy stomach upset my homecoming too. The day after my return I had organised a catch up with friends in my favourite beer garden. It was great to see so many of my friends in one place but I was devastated not to be able to have a parma, a pot and an ice cream on my way home. I did, however, get fireworks that evening which was an almost-worthy replacement.
So home it is. I am staying at my mum’s newhouse apartment silo and have been spending my time catching up with friends, family and doing the maintenance (doctor, physio, dentist etc). I’m loving the sunshine, clear skies and clean air – three things I particularly missed while in Chongqing. At the moment I’m a lady of leisure (ie. “between jobs”) and I have found this fact quite convenient when trying to fend of drunken suitors at the pub (happens often). If anyone hears of any work in Sydney feel free to let me know! Yes, that’s right Sydney! Next week I’m making the big move north which will be another new adventure. Maybe I’ll need to start a new blog... Sydney Daily?!
So that's all for now... Zai jian!
Upon leaving Chongqing there were a few tears – especially saying goodbye to those whom I won’t easily be able to contact again. I made a few good friends who don’t speak English – it sounds strange but it is possible! – and I was very sad to leave them especially.
Before leaving China altogether I flew to Beijing for a couple of days where I had a debrief meeting scheduled and where I had also arranged to meet up with the Beijing-based AYADs. We had dessert at a restaurant in San Li Tun (the bar/expat district) and then drinks in an expat bar. I think I was suffering a bit of culture shock at the number of expats around, variety of cuisine available and most of all, the lack of Chinese people in the bar we visited. Not one. Seriously. It was nothing like Chongqing – and it made me appreciate the fact that I hadn’t been based in Beijing. While I sometimes bemoaned the fact that Chongqing is not a cosmopolitan city, I think my experience there has given me much more of an insight into China than living in Beijing would have.
Fortunately I had arranged to meet my friends on the night I arrived in Beijing. I say this because the following day I was struck down with ‘Beijing Belly’ and spent the remainder of my time in China in bed... that’s when I wasn’t chucking up my guts in the bathroom or the hotel lobby. I couldn’t attend my debrief meeting (and Sean was gonna give me a life on his motorbike too – doh!) but the meeting came to me in my hotel room (in pjs – tres chic).
Unfortunately the dodgy stomach upset my homecoming too. The day after my return I had organised a catch up with friends in my favourite beer garden. It was great to see so many of my friends in one place but I was devastated not to be able to have a parma, a pot and an ice cream on my way home. I did, however, get fireworks that evening which was an almost-worthy replacement.
So home it is. I am staying at my mum’s new
So that's all for now... Zai jian!
posted by bvc @ 4:12 PM
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