Just landed, still jet-lagged.
First Night
Hmm, hello? I am in China… It exists! I am here right now! Still haven’t seen a dragon though, I have kept my eyes wide open for my first encounter. I am a bit disappointed.
The trip was fine, I could barely sleep in the plane so I slept once I arrived at the hotel. My body feels in the right time zone now (or almost).1
My first quests were purely administrative, I got a Chinese phone number, but apparently I am unable to switch WeChat to WeiXin because it has only been delivered recently. Anyway, here is my code if you’d like to text me ^^
Bank Account
Yesterday, I went to the bank and opened an account, I got a credit card and it is absolutely adorable. On my way, I realized people were looking at me a little oddly. I froze. Do people wear crop tops here? I did not think about checking it out. Oh my, did I offend people on my first day? On top of that, I was going to the Bank of China, like there is no bigger affront if my clothing is not culturally acceptable. I kept walking until I found a young (cool looking) woman, I knew she would be fine with my questions. She spoke English really well and told me my clothes were absolutely fine, people just did not wear them to go to work. Fit check, done! I felt normal again, so I went straight to the bank.
I signed papers not really knowing what they were saying, but then I heard someone speaking Chin-glish (or Engl-ese?). She introduced herself to me. An Italian woman living in Xichang, like me, we exchanged phone numbers. She spoke so well and switched between languages so fluidly, I admired her skill. Okay, back to the main story, I finally deposited some yuans in my account because I needed to have (and I quote the bank worker) “more than 1”. Do you know what I learned recently? Yuans (cny) are the unit of measure and renminbi (rmb) is the actual name of the currency.
Coming back from the bank, I encountered a shop with an eiffel tower in front and a sign saying “Paris Baguette”. I just had to check it out. On the door, there was the picture of a man dressed like a chef and… a Dutch flag. Same colors, same order, not the same orientation. It was a sort of bakery, I refrained from trying the croissants because, well, I have lived abroad before and I am systematically disappointed. I found a chocolate oatly drink and could not resist buying it.When I passed at the cashier, the woman said “thank you” then turned to her colleague laughing. To be honest, fair enough, I look like a stereotype buying a European drink in the most Western looking store around. I decided the next thing I would buy was going to be the most typical food.
Today, I went to check out more stores and found many funky snacks and drinks I look forward to try. The most striking of them (to me) was this Jasmine coffee. My favorites teas ever are jasmine and bergamot, so this bottle was a sight for sore eyes!
An Apartment
My next quest was, finding an apartment. I really wanted to share it with my colleagues, but they got here earlier and settled to live together. So, I searched on my own. And let me tell you, it was the quickest and easiest way I have ever found a place! I had to chat with the real estate agents through translator, but then one of them took me on a motorcycle and showed me 3 different places.
The last was the cheapest (somehow) and the cutest. It is on the 5th floor without lift, but I have two beds so I can host my visitors2. Today I am supposed to sign the papers and pay a deposit. It is 10 minutes Walking from my University. I did the path today, it is really easy to remember. Wow, this is perfect to me. Too bad for the flat share, I will make my cocoon by myself.
The motorcycle ride made me so hungry (and scared). I was decided to have my first real Chinese food. Oh, you already know what it was: 包子! I asked the hotel staff and they recommended me the closest place. I discussed with a patient women in my A1 Chinese and the translator, but managed to get my 3 bao buns, spinach and cheese. Yum. It was actually too much for me, I had to keep the last one for the evening. I will go back today so I can get something else from this little store.
Comments
One response
I love this!!!! I had so much fun reading your first days, because when I also went through the same things in Italy I thought some situations or interactions were funny but couldn’t really find it slay enough to let them out of my brain. You do you again Evana, making me realize things. Baooooo looks soooo good. Will look forward into the updates. China better treats you well, because you do so~