10 Things About China

10 Things About China

As I have Observed Them First- Hand

I've been to China a few times.  On two occasions, I taught at a university for a few weeks.  I have travelled to Beijing, Shanghai and Henan Provence mostly.  The country is overwhelming in size and population. Here are a few things I have observed:

1- Their concept of a cup of tea is very different from ours.  For them, a cup of tea is hot water.  I guess we are just supposed to imagine the taste of a tea.

2- They trust their government. I don't trust my government.

3- It is crowded, very crowded.  Most places have the congestion of Time Square, NYC. People are bumping in to you all of the time.

4- Many of them have never seen a caucasian so they want to take a photo of you.  Some days, I had to pose for photos all day long.

5- I like most of the street food.  But I will not eat eyeballs, chicken feet and sheep penis.

6-They are the kindest, most gently people I have ever met.

7- They litter too much.  It doesn't even occur to them to throw trash in a container.

8- Clean water is a problem.  You can't drink out of the tap.  Many people buy bottled water but even that option is questionable.  There was a man who lived across the street from my university and he collected used water bottles and filled them with the rainfall that dripped from his  roof.

9- They make good soups.  I love the hot soup and all of the foods that can be added to that broth.

10- Too many of them have to work every day of the year to make just enough money to eat for a day.