About culture shock and adapting...

Listening to: conversations in my aunt and uncle's house...talking with my cousin.
Thinking about: all the different experiences China has opened me up to...

Culture shock was the first thing that I came across when landing in China. The culture, mannerism, and general atmosphere of China is very different from Canada. Sometimes I'm at awe by the pace of how China is expanding, but at the same time disappointed in service, quality, mannerism of the general local public, and the bathrooms >_<

I think its all about adapting...unlike my sister. Its hard for younger children to really adapt to such a huge gap compared to North America. The toilets cause many children to gasp for air. Also the heat can be untolerable. The key is to adjust to your surroundings. If its hot, carry a fan, drink lots of water. If its smelly and dirty, don't breathe and keep an open mind that this is not North America. Everything is a new experience, good or bad.

I've been to Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi and now Guangzhou. Each city is different in many ways: the scenery, city atmosphere, food, development of agriculture and buildings, people, etc. I think my favorite of the tour cities I've been to (which excludes Guangzhou) is Shanghai as it is the most modern of the cities. Beijing is really old in terms of the buildings and the atmosphere is really polluted.

So far I've seen: Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Summer Palace, TianTan Temple, West Lake, a silk factory, many different temples and private homes which are now ancient tourist locations, the busy streets of Shanghai, clothing warehouse outlets in Shanghai, jade factory, Tai Lake, Shanghai Pudong waterview, Shanghai Bund, and many other experiences. In Guangzhou I got to try very tasty Cantonese food that I really like and seafood that would be unable to find in Canada. In Guangzhou I felt more localized: taking the subway, eating with the locals, shopping and bargaining.

Next stop Macao and Hong Kong...and shopping before going home! This has definitely been quite an experience and when I'm back in Canada, I'll have a chance to really describe all my travel experiences in China.

About arriving in Beijing...

Listening to: the humming of the air conditioner...
Thinking about: the continental breakfast...starving! Also about all the wonderful places we're going today!

Arrived in Beijing last night at 3:30PM at the airport, which is really really nice and modern. Then got to the hotel at around 5:00PM. The hotel is really nice. It's called the Beijing JinQiao International Garden Hotel. There's a computer and internet in the room as well! Regret not bringing a mic so we can use Skype to phone home...

Last night we ate at this Tian Jin Jiaozi palace, which was really nice and filling. Inside the restaurant they have a viewing glass that lets you see a group of "chefs" making dumplings. Mmmmm dumplings...didn't eat much 'cause I was still on CDN time and that was like 5am!

Already feel better, not jetlagged since I slept pretty well last night. Today we're heading down for breakfast and then out to Tiantan, Gu Gong, Summer Palace, and Forbidden City. Later tonight we're going to watch an acrobat show and eat Peking Duck. Very exciting!

Sounds like we're heading out for breakfast...