One of my first experiences interacting with the Chinese was a lesson in futility. Well, a few lessons, really. After a few nights freezing with no sheets and my only long-sleeve shirt being my jacket, I desperately needed sheets. The nearby RenRenLe (the equivalent of Fred Meyer or a Super Walmart) had sheets, and I …
Category Archive: My Experience
My experiences while preparing and traveling.
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First Meal Alone
It’s strange, but the first meal I had to order alone was on the fourth day in China. I don’t know how I avoided it so long. Having had a few catastrophes interacting with people at the supermarket, I was hesitant to order food from a place I didn’t know where the best I could …
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The Internet here is AWFUL
When planning a trip to China, be aware that the internet is ridiculously slow. Generally, I get dialup speeds. That is, when I have internet. Often it will just die entirely. This is a common problem that everyone I’ve talked to has mentioned, so I know it’s not just me. For things that do not …
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First Night
After arriving in Shenzhen and meeting Sammi in front of the apartment, I now had someone I could trust who spoke English, and things were a lot more comfortable. We went upstairs to the apartment, which looked like it was still occupied. There was someone’s stuff all over, and it turned out that they hadn’t …
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In Transit
Madison After a difficult goodbye, I went to the ticket counter and checked in and dropped off my checked bag. I was worried that my prototype inside the bag would be examined and blown up as a potential bomb, but it turned out my fears were unfounded. Tickets in hand, I went upstairs and was …
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Getting robbed by Chase Bank
In the final stretch towards leaving, I needed to make sure I’d have enough foreign currency to get by. I was looking for the cheapest ways to change money, and I knew that Chase was going to charge 3% on any foreign transactions on my cards, so I wanted to avoid that. I called my …
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Getting a visa at the China Consulate
This isn’t the China Consulate. This is a new (and somewhat controversial) statue of Marilyn Monroe on Michigan Ave. in Chicago. The China Consulate is a few blocks away, but they don’t want you taking pictures, and this is much neater.
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Shooting through the prep checklist
It seems that preparation for travel has to happen in a specific order because the paperwork requires progressive detail. For example, the first thing on the list is to determine when and exactly where you are going. With the dates and locations confirmed, then you book your flights. Now that you have flights, you know …
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