Not everything is what it seems

So, after 5 postings. You've seen and heard the good stuff about Beijing. Now's the time to put things into perspective.

There has been one thing I have observed so far while working. People here are not bothered by your body language which is widely practised back home. They can actually answer their phones right in front of their superior who is conducting a discussion and are not afraid that their actions will be offensive. What's more, your supervisor can be talking to you and you are replying a sms. Its that simple. Your supervisor won't stop, instead he will just rattle on and on and on.

They don't apologise when they step on you, elbow you and whatever you can think of. Its as if its socially acceptable right here. Hm, which I personally still have not gotten accustomed to.

Ok, so its winter and we don't have the habit of opening our windows since the cold air seeps right through the windows. Check it out;

I think that answer the question of "How dusty can it get here?". Even without opening our doors and windows, the amount of dust which has accumulated is actually quite an eye-sore. This is the dust for one week; considering that we only spend roughly 5 hours at home everyday and that's without opening the windows? This is disgusting. I can't imagine how it will be during spring and autumn.

Is anyone looking for cheap shopping out there? You can try 西单shopping centre which is similar to bugis village as the stalls are all lined up in the interior of the mall. It is like a flea market where you can slash prices by quite a fair amount.Always remember to bargain please.
Here you have it. A shopping paradise which sells mainly female goods but with sufficient male stuff to keep the guys occupied too. Cheap and good. Just take the subway and alight at 西单 station as it is within 5 mins walking distance. I shall go back there during summer as most of the stalls are selling winter clothing (which is the same for every shopping centre).

You can never trust the dim sum here in Beijing. We tried dim sum at 2 different eateries and they disappointed us pretty badly. You should know how I'm not very particular about food. So that explains everything.

First up, lets dissect the 叉烧包, char siew bao. The skin was way too dry, there wasn't much meat and it wasn't even juicy! Just when I miss char siew bao. Rated as: Tasteless

Up next is one of my all time favourite, 小笼包, xiao long bao.
This was even worse than the char siew bao. The xiao long bao was literally a BAO. Seriously, I ain't joking. There wasn't any soup, the meat was tough, the skin was rough and seriously tasteless. Nothing that I expected it to be. Rated as: Totally disappointing

Amidst all the disappointment, maybe we should all just jump wagon and start eating food from the roadside stalls (which looks to be more hygenic)! The food smells delicious (I swear) and it tempts you. The smell hooks your nose and your stomach all at the same time. It is like calling out to you. Screaming aloud to you. Haha. Bracing ourselves on a sunday morning, we tried this 煎饼, pancake from a mini shop by roadside.
Its similar to crepes but less high-class with only an egg spread across the thin surface, garnished with some spring onions and sweet sauce and a salty flake of crispy stuff which I do not know what it is. They then fold it into a square shape and its ready to be served. Depending on where you buy it, it ranges from 2-3RMB. Don't look down on this small Chinese crepe. It lasted us for 6 hours and served as our lunch. It is nice and ranks higher than the slightly more expensive dim sum in terms of taste.

I haven't tried food from those portable stalls that comes in the form of a bicycle. I don't think I will ever for fear of a stomach upset. There is one very interesting portable stall that I come across everyday, the guy produces and sells popcorn on the spot when the others are selling the conventional fruits and satay-like food, 串肉, etc. The smell of the popcorn is almost irresistible and you marvel at how it actually smells so good. Oh well.....

I cooked the other day and it was better than the previous time. At least it looks and tastes decent. Even though it is really simple and idiot proof. Anyone can do it too.
From L-R (Clockwise) Sweet chilli toufu with golden mushroom, sambal sotong, luncheon meat dipped in egg and xiao bai cai.

Lets eat healthy. I'm putting on weight too easily and it is showing. Less oil, less salt please!

religious and cultural

My laptop is driving me insane. It switches the backlight off every few seconds. I'm praying very hard it doesn't die on me in this foreign land. Anyway, here are some updates for the past weekend.

First up, always pictured snow as white and everything right? Well, how about this for a change? Its a snow covered road alright, just that its black; sesame flavor? Its the pollution that has actually turned the white into black. Believe it. It happened overnight.
Ok, enought of nonsense. So we headed out during the weekend. 2 locations that were within walking distances of each other. Lama Temple and Imperial College.

Lama Temple aka Yonghe Gong （雍和宫）


Its HUGE. We were walking along the streets outside the temple where there were plenty of stalls selling joss sticks in huge packets and we were wondering why people actually needed so much. We then realised after we stepped in. The people there stop to pray at every small temple within the Lama Temple. A conservative estimate would be 15 small temples and mulitply that by 3 joss sticks per temple and you get a huge serving of joss sticks. Oh, if you want to get the joss sticks, please buy before you head in. The prices inside are totally exorbiant. For the same pack of joss stick, its going for $2 outside while its 10x that inside; $20.

It will be the only time you can see order in China. Haha. People actually queue up in a line to give their offerings. The place is so huge, you need at least an hour to just touch and go at the different mini temples. There's also a museum inside at the last wing which showcases the development and history which is actually quite interesting.

There was suppose to be an exorcisim ritual rehearsal at around 2pm when we finished touring around the whole place (we thought we were quite lucky since it coincided with our end of tour) but we were kept waiting for quite some time before we decided to give it a miss. Apparently, it involved drums and some dance by the monks. I wonder how it went.

Cofuscius Temple （孔庙） and Imperial College (国子监）


So these 2 places actually belong to the same thing. They are linked and are can be entered using the same ticket (half-price, 10RMB after Junwei showed his matric card). This place is all about Confuscius, his life, teachings and the extent of his influence. They even had his tomb inside(or at least it was his tablet) when you walk straight in all the way. Spooky. Apparently, they even have ceremonies conducted in his name. How about a temple? The red tags sold at the temple which can make you a scholar cost 100RMB. WOW! Now, that's the price of becoming a scholar. I want to be one too. Haha. I'm sure they are laughing all the way to the bank as you stand outside admiring the tens of rows and columns of tags that they have sold. Haha.

The 2nd part of this was visiting the imperial college. The museums inside document the life of a scholar and the 4 paths that they can choose to take up. It shows you the living conditions and various examinations that they had to overcome back in those days. Martial arts, poetry, blah blah blah.. Makes me feel ashamed of myself just trying to fulfil my duty as a student, just me and my beloved notes. Maybe anyone who has trouble mtivating themselves to study should take on this trip and who knows, it might inspire them? Haha.

Ok, i actually have alot more to blog but my screen is pissing me off right now. I can't finish typing more than 3 words before the backlight goes off and i can't see a thing. I hope it doesn't die on me seriously. Its only week 4 and i still have my reports to type for the remainder of the trip. I hope it will be fine tomorrow. Hopefully...

And it snowed for a 2nd day in a row!

It really did snow today! The snow-covered picture was a pleasant sight to greet us this morning.
Man, will it snow again tomorrow? It has stopped snowing tonight as of now though.

You know, the Chinese language is interesting. Below are some examples (The Singapore mandarin is in blue, China mandarin is in red, );

a) 计算机 = calculator = computer
b) 撒尿牛丸 = meat balls = takopachi

There are certain clashes of culture here. For language culture, the word "shit" is actually considered a offensive word, a profanity. Back home, its pretty much a norm, a way of life for us young people. We usually smile it off after releasing numerous insertions in our conversations. Guess we really must watch what we say in another man's land. There are still lots to learn within the remaining 20 weeks. We can conquer this!

The sight of snow piling up is really interesting. Though you can't wish for a heavy snowfall, I am contented with what I have experienced so far. Only 3 days of snow have been forecast-ed, 2 have passed and tomorrow's the last (if it occurs). Being kiasu, all of us took our cameras out and starting shooting at everything within sight.

Finally squeezed out of the sardine-packed bus. The sardines started walking on the snow.

I love this scenery.
Foreground: Yun Li and Shunyu
Background: Zong Ming and Junwei

The lorry spoilt the picture.
Isn't it wonderful? Who would have thought this was Beijing.

The locals do have a habit of scribbling stuff on the snow. You will usually see some romantic declaration right? One guy wrote "男儿当志强" (or something along that line) and Junwei gave a wonderful response to the statement beneath it. Lol. *Contents have been removed*

Tomorrow's another day to ponder. 2 days to the weekend!

SNOW!

The locals have a saying here; the temperatures will rise once 春节(CNY) is over. It did, for 2 days before it starting dipping to levels lower than we had experienced in our very first week.

Its hot back home too, 35degrees Celsius. Everywhere is being affected. Global warming perhaps.

Back to the topic, we thought we were never going to see snow here in Beijing but I guess heaven was kind to us. It did not snow during winter and yet Beijing has now witnessed its first snowfall in what I would term as a winter-spring transition.

Woohoo~!

Now, what do you make of the snowflakes? This was in the morning when the snow first started to fall. Check out the shape, this was all natural without any human interference. Nice!

After work, the snow came down heavier and faster and it started accumulating on the streets.
It's my first time witnessing and walking in a snow-fall. I can only say, its really beautiful. Staring outside my room now, I can only say it brings me an unexplainable peace.
After dinner, somewhere along the streets in 国贸when it started snowing real heavily again.
I left my prints beside the tree. Lol.
The view from my room, I apologise for the colour as I was reluctant to open the window to take the picture. Doesn't it paint a picture of peace and tranquility?

Today's weather forecast was 20% chance of precipitation.
Tomorrow's weather forecast: 30% in the day and 50% at night.
Wonder if it will happen. Better wrap myself up more! Its freezing.

Sunday; Rest time

Today's stay-in day. After all the anticipation and excitement of a week's work, we were simply too tired to squeeze and plan where to head.
Today's home-cooked meal day. We figured we had to save money and protect our health.
Lunch by me was a disaster. Shall go no further.
Dinner by our 家长 was good. 家长 = Person who is like the leader of our household.
please refer to the dinner below;


I think i forgot to introduce my housemates to you. So here goes..



L-R: Junwei (our clown), myself, Sheng Yuan (家长), Shunyu (Assistant supervisor).

That's us in 双井metro station which serves us faithfully everyday.

Anyway, its really dusty here even if we open our balcony door and windows slightly. It literally sweeps off your feet when you walk at home despite our best efforts in sweeping and mopping.

Just an introduction to our daily routine;

Wake up: 6am
Leave house: 7am
Take bus: 7.25am
Lunch: 12.00pm
Knock-off: 5.15pm (hopefully)

Sleep: 12.00am (hopefully again)

Weather forecast says there might be a chance of snow on Tuesday. Wonder if it'll come true.

2 weeks to begin with

So it was just 11 days ago when I was still in sunny little Singapore. Basking in the warmth and downing all the rojak food was just a daily routine which I now feel I took for granted.

Then it was all taken away from me on the night of 2nd Feb 09, for 6 months at least. Kissing goodbye at Terminal 1, I bid a fond farewell with tears kept well in check.

The chilly or rather, freezing winds greeted us in the early morning of 3rd Feb.
Welcome to Beijing. 欢迎来到北京！
The morning winds are pretty insane and it freezes down your spine.
I somewhat miss the warmth of the sun a little during this season especially in the morning and at night when the temperature dips.

Being here has changed my perception of China tremendously. However, this might have to do with the fact that I'm staying near city. It ain't as dirty as I was told and its pretty well-developed.

Its a pretty confusing city I would say. Beijing has the extremes; technologically very advanced, well developed BUT there are many areas which are light years behind in terms of just simple technology. Perhaps, it is this interesting mixture that has captured my attention. Towering buildings, small village homes and tons of people; now that’s a formula for beauty. You never know what you see the moment you turn around.

I always thought Singapore was pretty well-developed and advanced (perhaps in the area of urban planning, home still wins) but its only after stepping out into Beijing that I realized; “Hey! Beijing is almost on par, if not better than what we have back home.” Remember those flashy advertisements along the MRT along Newton, Orchard? They had it years back. How about our TV mobile and its reception which fails us from time to time? They have something similar but yet, more reliable though it plays the same show EVERYDAY which is getting on my nerves. HUGE buildings with IMMENSELY IMPRESSIVE layouts and facade. A shopping mall that resembles an ultra posh hotel that blows your imagination. How about the fact that they are now building the world's largest Ferris wheel, there goes Singapore's record in a year or two. There are many more but you have to see to believe it.

There are a couple of things to note in Beijing.

1) Crossing the roads
Watching people crossing streets is a truly amazing sight. It’s a skill which we have almost picked up. It’s amazing how they cross anytime and cars slow down (I’m serious, they do slow down) without jamming the honk (there’s the occasional exceptions, mainly during weekends) but you must do your part and hasten your steps a little. If you cross like you do in Beijing back in Singapore, you will probably get a swearing session, get honked till you go deaf or simply a traffic offense ticket.

2) Taking the bus/train
Ever wondered why China produces so many world-class gymnasts? It boils right down to how they squeeze in the bus and train. They have a natural ability to dig out any available space to squeeze into and they really do make their presence felt. Twisting and turning is a great morning work-out (ya right), try getting your butt rubbed so very often when someone tries moving in or out. I was squashed myself and can attest to that fact; I was bending over the passenger sitting by the aisle. Try squeezing back at home and you get the friendliest stare you will ever witness for a long long time. Public transport is really cheap; 2RMB for a MRT ride regardless of distance and it cost me 1.20RMB to get to work. Taxis are pretty affordable (meter starts at 10RMB) but try not to take it too often, it becomes a habit and you will get VERY lazy.

3) Spitting
Yes folks, I am afraid the legends are true. They spit everywhere, anywhere and anytime. On the road: checked. While smoking: checked. In the supermarket: checked. Where else can they not do it? I hope I won’t be spat on. Ok, that’s for spitting. How about VOMITTING? I witnessed a lady puking in the crowded bus on the first day of work and she wiped her hands (which she tried to contain her contents) on her pants with the remnants all over the floor. I just another whose contents were left in the train today.

4) Food
Oily and salty sums it all up. In addition, their serving of rice is huge; more than you get back home. Drink plenty of water thereafter. Regardless of that, always drink up as it is really dry here in Beijing. There’s beef and mutton everywhere, chicken is slightly harder to find I think. I always see pork, beef and mutton on the menu. I think I'm putting on weight really rapidly.

5) People
They speak really fast and pretty loud as if they are reprimanding you. I shall update more as I get to speak more often with them. If you think your mandarin standard is reasonable back home, you will feel like a disgrace to the Chinese community back home over here in China. We are in different leagues altogether. I miss Singlish, luckily I have my housemates to share the burden of too much Mandarin in a day. By the way, the service standard isn't that good, so brace yourself.

6) Shopping (pertaining to plastic bags)
Always bring a bag or those reusable shopping bags along if you're intending to shop for groceries. Its amazing how the locals live without plastic bags and how we always forget to bring our reusable shopping bags out everywhere after even after major lessons after the 2nd day in Beijing. We ended up taking the numerous stuff on hand, braving the cold, luckily the walk back from the supermarket wasn't too long. Its interesting how we would complain back home if we were made to pay for plastic bags when people here just get on with life. We simply depend too much on plastic bags back home for everything.

One other thing to note. People in China have a higher tolerance level and greater patience, just see the way drivers go about the traffic and the pedestrians cross the road and commuters squeeze. The comfort zone that Singaporeans have is just too great compared to the Chinese. Do the same in Singapore, you will be stared or cursed. In addition, I’m beginning to understand why some people do the things they do. We should all learn to have greater patience and a higher tolerance.

Despite what seems like negative comments so far, Beijing has really impressed me quite a fair bit and changed my impression of it. The modern + traditional blend has shown me that I was wrong to write Beijing off early on. It has a very interesting identity with the rich, the norm and the poor all in one melting pot. Its a confusing world.
Now I’m beginning to see things clearer and why there's the emphasis on stepping out of Singapore to expand your horizons.

Its finally the weekends! Here's wishing everyone a happy weekend and Happy Valentine's Day. 周末愉快！情人节快乐！