The one where we go to Beijing

I think this is going to end up being a constant introduction to each blog because I genuinely can’t seem to wrap my head around the idea of time progression but- I can’t believe it’s November already! How are we already in the third month!?

I definitely feel like I’ve settled into more of a routine this month, things have been a lot calmer and a lot less hectic, and I’ve dedicated a lot more time to revising and studying (wow, studying in uni, who’d have thought?). Despite that, looking back I’m realising how much we’ve done this month and it seems almost insane that I’ve managed to squeeze eating, sleeping and breathing in as well.

We welcomed in the month with a visit to our HSK teacher’s house. She’d been very kind to arrange for us to visit local families in her neighbourhood, which gave us all a chance to experience family life in China. She and her family drew the short straw and ended up with the awkward group of two vegans and a vegetarian! However, even though the idea of not eating meat (let alone no eggs and no milk) is a very strange one in Chinese culture, she prepared for us a literal feast, filled with veggies, tofu and noodles, which we got to make ourselves! Definitely a technique I’m going to be showing off one I’m back in Scotland.

It was an amazing experience and allowed us to experience first-hand the Chinese hospitality. It was almost like visiting your grandparents house, you leave feeling like you’ve gained about two stone and gone up at least 3 dress sizes; the constant flow of green tea and extra helpings of noodles only stopping after insisting we were 饱了 ( bǎo le – full), not that any of us were complaining of course!

The chilled out evening definitely made me realise how much I missed that relaxed family atmosphere, coming home and having dinner with your parents, joking around as we helped each other prepare the meal and whilst clearing up at the end. I can say for certain we were all really happy when she invited us all round again the following Friday. We were given the honour of being called 姐姐 (jiějie – older sister) by her son, which is a term of endearment for close friends which are older girls, something I thought was incredibly sweet.

Next weekend, we were climbing yet another mountain, dubbed the most beautiful in China – Baishan (白山). Well, climbing is stretching the truth on this one. We actually got the shuttle bus all the way up to the top of the mountain range where the real trail began, along twisting, winding roads around the side of the mountains. In all honesty, it probably would have been safer climbing up ourselves as our driver was a bit of an eccentric driver to put it lightly, and that’s coming from a girl that loves rollercoasters! Photos really don’t do the view justice at all, as it was probably one of my favourite places I’ve been in China so far.

Although we’re all really smiley in the photo we were drastically underdressed. I don’t think we really appreciated how high up we were going to be, and also that it’s not summer (夏天 – xiàtiān) any more, which is quite a sad thought for many of us. I’m struggling to imagine what its going to be like trying to go about our daily lives when its -10 degrees in Tianjin. It’s going to make the walk to the local market a lot less pleasant. I can fully understand why 白山 is thought of as the most beautiful set of mountains in China, the five hour drive there and back (and almost freezing) was absolutely worth it.

So, it’s mid-month, everyone is constantly checking when the allowance is coming in then as soon as our bank accounts are filled up what’s the first thing I do? Dye my hair purple of course. Genuinely one of the best impulse decisions I think I’ve ever made. With my very limited hair dressing knowledge, both in general and in Mandarin, I’m so surprised it turned out as well as it did. In all honesty the hardest part was trying not to laugh as they put little ear protectors over my ears to stop the dye from turning them a lovely shade of pink as well. Since this was my first experience of having my hair dyed ever I didn’t know what was normal, and what was just specific to China. However, getting told “I love you” by the guy dying my hair, was probably neither! After the poor guy almost died of embarrassment, we exchanged WeChat and I agreed to help him practice his English in exchange for me being able to practice my Mandarin.

That experience is a perfect example of China; the best opportunities sometimes come from the most unsuspecting places. One thing I did notice was very different from Scotland was that it was mostly men cutting, styling and drying hair. I only really saw women at the reception, or showing clients to their seats, whereas in the UK, and probably most of the western world, hairdressing is a very female dominated trade. 

One valuable lesson I learned this month was always order a dress at least two weeks before intending to wear it to a ball (which I didn’t do) so ended up in the situation where I was wearing not exactly the most glamourous jumpsuit to a prestigious charity event in Beijing. It actually worked out in my favour because I can imagine ceilidh dancing in a long gown might be a little difficult.

The St Andrews Ball has to be one of the most amazing nights I’ve had in a long time, and also some of the best vegan food I’ve had in a while as well. It was such an amazing night, filled with dancing and traditional Scottish music and of course a breakfast of bacon and sausages being served at 1am. Can’t really get much more Scottish than that can you? I have to admit I wasn’t feeling at all homesick until that night, then afterwards, after having that little taste of home I seemed to be missing Scotland a lot more than I ever have in my life- something which I really did not expect to happen at all.

After a slow start, checking out of our accommodation, and then hunting down the nearest coffee shop, which ended up being at the very bottom of the apartment block we were staying in, we indulged in coffee (for the vegans) and waffles (for everyone else). Fuelled up and ready to explore to city, we made our way on the subway to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and a gorgeous park which I unfortunately didn’t get the name of.

In hindsight it was maybe not a great idea to plan a full day of sightseeing after getting to bed at 3am, but even though we didn’t see these places in too much depth it was really nice to explore the city and see a bit of the capital. After walking through the park, around the lake and seeing the stunning autumn scenery and the amazing traditional Chinese architecture we hunted down the nearest subway stop and made our way back to the train station. Never again am I getting the slow train anywhere in China! After experiencing the 30min speed train to Beijing from Tianjin I think there are going to be a few more weekend trips to Beijing in the future. It’s been a busy month but it’s doing things, getting out, exploring the country and taking a break from studying that I think is so important when living in another country, because living the language is the only way you’ll ever truly learn it.

So on that cheesy note, until next month 再见!