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So
revolutionary
Revolutionary Statue portraying the people (workers
and farmers) in all their glory. This is a common theme
in Communist and nationalistic art. |
Imagine coming to a land where you are completely alien,
the culture is 5,000 years in the making. The great dynasties
of the past have left their great relics all over China
for you to discover. The people, so proud of their country,
and wonderfully curious about you, want you to come so that
they help you experience the essence of their country. Aged
faces populate local parks to practice Tai Chi at 6 am.
There is great and diverse food, much more delicious and
diverse than any Chinese food you can hope to have at home.
Additionally, there are great Western restaurants, expat
bars and nightlife for you to experience.
But
first you need to get through the airport.
Arriving
in China may be a shock to you, especially if you have never
been there before. Many signs will be in Chinese characters,
which, unless you have studied Chinese before, will be completely
alien to you. There will be people around you who only speak
Chinese. Don't worry too much about this. Many people can
speak English, and many important signs are labeled in English
and Chinese. Going through immigration and customs is relatively
painless. Once you leave the airport, things can really
get stressful if there is no one to meet you. You need to
find a hotel and a map. You need to be able to get around
on your own. Not a problem. You simply need to be prepared.
Thwarting
the stress just after you arrive
You are tired. You have just spent 20 hours in the fetal
position in coach, or if you were lucky, in business or
first class. You are now in China. You don't speak the language
and all the signs are in Chinese. Some, thankfully are in
English, but the rest you are on your own. It can be scary.
The first time I arrived in China, I moved there to study
for four months. My flight arrived later than the other
students, so at the airport I was on my own. I had only
studied two years of Chinese, better than the average tourist,
of course, but I wasn't prepared for this. Even though I
had studied the language, my fine university had not taught
me a thing about Chinese society or even what to expect.
With visions of Tiananmen Square, human rights violations
and stern, unforgiving Communist soldiers marching through
my head, I made my way through the airport. I was afraid
of being ripped off, kidnapped, or screwed around. I decided
to play it cool and not appear frightened or naive. With
all the confidence I could muster, I hailed a cab, put my
stuff in the trunk and got in, sitting in the back seat.
When I got to my final destination, I paid the cab driver,
tipped him and got out. I was convinced that the driver
did not know I was a newbie, until a few weeks later when
I found out that most passengers (including foreigners)
in China sit in the front of the cab with the driver and
they do not tip! My point is I chose not be stressed, I
chose to take control of my situation. I had a final destination
and I went with it.
Traveling
to China is truly a great journey, not only in time and
distance, but also in ways of thinking. The real adventure
begins after you arrive. So take a deep breath, relax and
dive right in!
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