Harbin Ice and Snow Festival

Greetings from the middle of Spring Break! 

Just last night I arrived back from Harbin and yes it was cold but also that did not even matter because I had so much fun while there. The trip was wild starting from the train ride over. We had all bought standing tickets, but when we arrived at the train station, I was the only one with a standing ticket. Here I was, my first time ever in a Chinese train station (minus a quick trip to Shanghai with a large group) and I was going to have to stand for eight hours straight. I quickly grabbed the bag of food because if I was going to have to stand I was going to have food. Luckily, we had bought three stools to take with us in preparation.

I arrive on the train and show the ticket lady my ticket. She was surprised to say the least and kept clarifying with me as she did not believe a foreigner would buy a standing ticket. Luckily, I was saved by a surprisingly empty train and was able to snag a seat next to my friend. Although the ride was not bad since I was sitting with plenty of space, it was still scary every time the ticket lady walked by because I was afraid she would tell me I would have to move. 

Once there, it was late at night and we were all tired. But the craziness was not going to stop for some tired travelers. We get to the taxi center and nobody would take us foreigners. And when they would it would be exaggerated prices that our pride refused to let us take. After an hour of struggling to find other means of escaping this train station, we finally lucked out with a friendly security guard who forced a taxi driver to take us at a reasonable price. Honestly, I think he was just tired of seeing us walk around.

We arrived at our hostel, which was a super chill place, minus the lack of mattresses (they used a piece of wood instead). Not the worst first-time hostel experience, so I am not mad about that. They even helped us get a taxi to the train station when we left. 

The first day in Harbin we met up with some friends from Harbin and then toured around main street. The city is a fascinating mix of Russian architecture with clear Chinese influence. The town is very close to the Russian border, so has been in the hand of Russia many times, and you can still see that in the town today. Although China makes sure it's known that this is a Chinese town by having a statue of Mao at every possible place. We walked around a lot and started buying some hand and feet warmers to prepare for the cold and long night we had ahead of us.

I was excited going up to the Ice and Snow Festival. I had read about this. I had heard about this. I had watched documentaries on this. And it was even better than I imagined. This was never on my bucket list, but now I would say it should be on everyone's. The festival was once of the top ten experiences of my traveling life. The ice sculptures were amazing and so detailed. My favorite one was the Buddha snow sculpture. We also got to sled down some ice and saw some penguins and wolves and moose. Nothing every got boring and I think I had my mouth open the entire time gawking. 

The next day we woke up late in order to catch up on some lost sleep. We then went and walked on a frozen lake, which is unnatural feeling for a girl from the South. We also saw an old railroad bridge that was created by the Russians and then the Chinese rebuilt. 

And don't worry, I won't leave out my food adventures either. I got to try the ice cream that Harbin is famous for. I bought a mango ice cream pop and it was super hard and dense and super creamy. I also tried bites of the red yam and original ice cream flavors. 

After our snack we headed over to see an Orthodox church lit up for the night. Staring at it, I felt transported to Europe which is a weird feeling.

For dinner that night we gorged ourselves on sticks of meat that Harbin is yet again famous for. I got to try vocal cords from a pig, duck tongue, pig intestines, chicken fat cubed and grilled, lamb skewers, and seaweed salad. Can't say I enjoyed eating everything, but I am glad I tried it all. At the end of dinner our Chinese hosts gifted us with Russian chocolate and Harbin sausage. The chocolate I am delving into every Sunday (since lent won't let me eat chocolate for most the week). My family, especially my dad, will be happy however to hear that I will save the sausage to eat when I get back home. Also, partially because I have yet to figure out if there is beef in it and I am not going to waste it.

Tonight I cooked dinner for the first time since I arrived! I made 3 cup 4 flavor chicken soup, black bean noodles, and cauliflower. We also ate leftover eggplant.  All were a hit, although the soup was a little sour. 

With three more days left of break, who knows what else I will accomplish.

Out We Go

What an eventful week! I spent the majority of the week attempting to get over my sickness, praying it wasn't going to evolve into the flu (which luckily it didn't). Since it was such a rough week, both health and school wise, I knew I had to really treat myself this weekend. And let's be honest, the weekend is really my only time to go out and explore and have fun and relax. This weekend also taught me a lot, like sometimes plans fall through and that's okay. And sometimes it is better when your plans fall through.

On Friday I had been planning on going to volunteer at an orphanage, but as soon as I started showing signs of being sick the program leaders denied me (with good reason). I was dejected and had resigned to going home and watching Chinese dubbed American movies, when I got invited to go out shopping and eating. And who am I to resist some shopping at eating? While out and about I got to hang out with some kids from the other program, who I don't get to see often during the school week. I also got thoroughly scared about my lack of preparation for Harbin...eek (severely lacking as in it is currently -30*F in Harbin and I am barely scrapping by in this 15*F weather). But, there is time for that later, right? (not like the trip is in ten days).

Saturday my roommate, Sarah, and I went to the "ass-end" of Beijing on a country bus to see a watermelon museum. Jokes on us because the three hours of traveling was wasted since the museum is closed on weekends. Doesn't make sense but I've learned not to question China. With time running out until our party started back at the apartment, we headed straight (ish) to a cafe in the middle of Beijing that had been on our list. Why this cafe you ask? It is an exact replica of the cafe from "Friends" complete with an exact replica of Joey's apartment. They also had the show playing the entire time. It was magical and I wish it was closer to my apartment so I could go all the time.

Back to the apartment we went for our jiaozi (dumpling) making party. We had over 17 people over to eat and laugh and make dumplings. It was a good mix of Chinese native speakers and Americans, so the jokes and laughs were plenty. We also got to share out cultures and learn more about the other culture. After the party, we watched a Japanese film in Japanese with Chinese subtitles (confusing and I missed half the movie, but also an experience).

Sunday was a relaxing day for recovering and cramming on that homework I somehow got behind on?

Catch me next weekend prepping for Harbin,

798 Art District+Some Troubles

And so begins week three in Beijing. This past weekend has been eventful and cold. Oh, so very very cold. Which will be relevant later on, just you wait. On Friday my apartment, sans two members, went to a bar for dinner. The bar was like being back in America. There were more foreigners than Chinese citizens at the bar, a concept that prior would have felt normal, but now felt out of place. I was more wary, nay I say mad, at the large amount of foreigners. Is that the sign that I am now a true Beijing person? I had a good lamb burger, fairly priced so I walked away happy.
Saturday my program took us to 798, an art district. It was fun and we took a lot of pictures, but there was a LARGE problem with the day. It was cold, colder than usual actually, and the district was ALL outside. So, I struggled and constantly fled indoors towards the semi-heat. I'll include some pictures we took at 798. I also got a chance to eat with three Chinese natives and my two teachers, which meant I got to try a lot of good food I normally wouldn't have bought for myself. We had Hunan food, which is the food from the hometown of Yang laoshi (my teacher who lives with me) and two of the Chinese people who ate with us. The food is spicy, but not too spicy. Although, I got in trouble with calling it not spicy. When I ate the leftovers the next day, let's just say in the middle of the meal I had to run and get some yogurt.

Saturday night, after some resting, our apartments, plus Yang laoshi, failed to go to a jazz bar. The night we had chosen was an expensive night for the jazz bar so we fled the scene and instead went to KTV. We sang mostly Chinese songs (expected) and Korean songs (don't ask).
Sunday, we cooked not-Chinese food (I wouldn't go so far as to call it American food) and had a joint apartment dinner. It was a lot of fun and we got to relax and laugh and have a good time.

All sounds good about the weekend, doesn't it? And it was, don't get me wrong. Until I woke up Monday morning. I'm guessing it was a combination of being out in the cold for too long and my roommate still not being fully recovered from the flu, but no matter the cause, I woke up sick. I'm currently eating my fair share of oranges, taking medicine every moment I am able to, and hoping to sleep like it's my job. Let's see how my school work fairs.
Until a hopefully not-sick next time!

My Program

So, in the timeline of my trip, this post is a little late. But nonetheless, it is now being written (and read). In case you were unaware of the purpose of this trip to China, it is not entirely a trip based around vacationing and sightseeing. The main purpose of my four month long stay in China is to study abroad here.
The program I am on is called China Studies Institute. Through this program I have two choices in program types: immersion and non-immersion. Take a wild guess at which program I chose?
Yes, I chose the immersion program (although I am thinking more and more about taking another semester here as a non-immersion).
So, here is the quick and easy breakdown of what being an immersion student in this program means. I am intensively studying the Mandarin language, which includes 25 hours of Chinese class every week. Oh, and did I mention I can't speak English Monday through Friday? Yeah there is that. It has only been a measly week, but I can tell my language abilities are many times better than when I started.
But, being an immersion student does not just mean studying the language intensively 24/7. It does not just mean sitting with a book open studying. That could be done in the states. No, being an immersion student means immersing myself in the culture as well. That is why I live in an apartment, which gives me the ability to mingle with more native speakers.
I have also made many friends here in China, who I hope to keep in contact with over the years. I've learned how to cook Chinese dishes (get ready to taste them none stop if you are around me when I get back). I have tried all the dishes and foods I can get my hands on (including the scorpion I mentioned before). I am learning the Beijing accent so as to fit in.
I have also become a known regular at my favorite breakfast spot. The guard at my building at school knows me and we frequently talk about our days before my class. All of this could not be done in the states. And that is why I decided to study abroad.
I mentioned that the program name is China Studies Institute. You might be wondering how I decided on this program. I could give a completely academic reason, but that would be lying. The real reason I chose this program was that you take a two week long "study" trip at the end. And by "study" I mean glorified two week vacationing around China. Hey, it came at no extra cost and who am I to decline extra traveling?
Since, I love pictures I'll include one of my breakfast. Be prepared to drool.
Until the next stable connection!

Pictures Finally!

 This is a picture of one of the food stalls I saw. The scorpions in the back were alive and still wriggling around!

 This is a picture of our two apartments together. Everyone except one person is in the immersion Program. The girl to the right of me is my roommate!

 Me eating dinner with two of my roommates.

 Girl's apartment group photo (minus our Chinese roommate).

Eek! I had two sticks of these they were so good!

First Week in China

It has been officially one week that I have been in Beijing. This first week has been a whirlwind of emotions: tired, stressed, excited, awed. From the moment I landed I have been learning so much and seeing so many sites (as well as eating so many new foods).

Beijing University (北大）is a huge campus. It is practically it's own town. The first two days we toured around the campus and I saw so many buildings that I soon forgot where everything was. There is a huge lake on campus that is currently frozen over. It was the first lake that I've seen frozen over where people can ice skate on it.

Speaking of freezing, the weather here is so cold. I definitely prefer Georgia's winters haha. I have never appreciated a winter coat like I have in this one week in Beijing.

My favorite moment this week has been the food street we went to on Saturday night. There were stalls upon stalls of food vendors selling everything from fried tarantulas to soup dumplings. As a food lover and avid food seeker, it was definitely a happy place for me. I tried scorpion, bubble waffles, Chinese hamburger, fried soup dumplings, and dried pork skin. And I regret eating none of it so I would consider it a successful trip. I also visited a seven story bookstore after the food street. All in all, that was a great day.

I just finished planning my 春节 trip. I'm going to the Harbin Ice Festival with two of my roommates. We are going to stay with one of my roommates friend's family. Be on the look out for that post in about a month!

Until next time when the VPN is solid...


P.S. I was going to add pictures but they won't load :( If I can get it working I'll make another post for them!

Off to China

Atlanta decided to send me off with warm weather, foggy skies, and lots of traffic. The next I will see my home town, two seasons will have passed, the Super Bowl will have occurred (let's hope with the Falcons), three major holidays will have gone by, and I will be fluent in Chinese. That's a lot to occur and a lot to comprehend.

It still feels unreal that I will be spending a semester in China, a country I have long loved and been fascinated with. Ever since fifth grade I've known that I want to speak Chinese and I have been lucky enough to have such early exposure to the language, and to have had opportunities to study in China. I spent a month in China during high school, to test the waters one could say. And test them I did. Upon arriving back in the U.S. after that month, my fascination wasn't quenched but ignited. I knew after that I would spend a semester studying the language in China.

But everyone says that. The idea of studying abroad is amazing and fascinating and goals. But actually following through? Stressful. Nerve racking. And to be honest? Still doesn't feel real.
I am going to try and update this blog weekly, hopefully more often. Some of the posts might be long. Some of the posts might be very short. Some will be more composed, some I won't even reread. Some might be all photos, some might have none. But I can guarantee they will all be about my time travelling. (And let's be honest, most will be about food).

I would like to have a little shout-out time. Shout out to my parents for putting up with my crazy fascination with China and being totally supportive of my desire to constantly go across the world. Thanks to my grandparents for keeping me grounded and always giving me advice and believing in me. Thanks to my sister for listening to me ramble about China every possible moment I have. Thanks to my friends for sticking with me and not hating me for leaving for an entire semester. Thanks to my dogs for putting up with my last minute smothers. And thanks to the people at the Atlanta Airport for not judging me as I cry writing this.

See you in China!