First Post from Shenzhen

It’s been three months back in China and this marks my first post since my return (not off to a great start-blogging wise). I would like to be able to say that I am settled, but there are still major things that need to happen before I can consider myself nestled in. I have however got my apartment all set up, and work is becoming more of a routine. In this regard, I have a grip on the day to day stuff.

Time spent these past few months has largely been occupied with weekend trips to Hong Kong where I am happy to visit Momo and Aunt Janet and Uncle Pat and the kids.

Momo has finally become a big girl and moved off campus to a closet of an apartment in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong where she lives with an old roommate (which now that I think about it, still sounds like she’s in a college dorm… hehe). While waiting for her college graduation ceremony in November, she has already begun training as a financial consultant, and from the looks of it she is doing quite well. Already she is outpacing her peers with the number of client meetings she is able to set up! Go Momo!

Although we closed the distance gap from 8,000 miles and 12 time zones to a mere 30 miles and the same time zone, Momo and I are still feeling the elements of a LDR. Still separated by a border and work obligations, we only get to see each other on the weekends. And given that on some weekends, one or the other may have some sort of activity, it could be two weeks’ time before another meeting. While I try not to take for granted that the amazing has happened for us, it can be lonely from time to time, especially on my end where I still do not have a friend base (save the employees from the noodle shop below my apartment) or a roommate, to help occupy the in between time.

Aunt Janet, Uncle Pat, and the kids have recently returned from summer vacation back in Massachusetts, and they are back into the full swing of things over here. Besides growing like a beanstalk, Kate is also on swim team for the first time. Ethan’s baseball season is starting up, and he will be a senior member of the team. I will be trying to get down to HK often enough to help out as an assistant practice coach. Johnny is taking up rugby again this year. Although, last Sunday when practice was cancelled due to rain (hey, hey, even rugby players need to be wary of catching colds!) it is rumored by his mom that he clenched his fists, and for a 5 year old, gave a heck of a fist pump.

Work

Work has been a ride. I spent my initial weeks here as a translator which helped me to catch up on a lot of what the business is all about. From there, I moved on to going on business trips with the CEO and meeting the CFO from America. Altogether, I have gotten my hands dirty with financial modeling, human resource disputes, legal matters, and of course learning how to run a business (in China!). It’s been challenging and humiliating at times. But in the end, I know it is all a part of obtaining a priceless experience.

Parting Words

So as I sign off here, I want to extend my thanks and warm wishes to everyone back home (and even those who happen find this page while looking for pictures of Mulan!)

I aim to keep it updated more regularly than my first trip to China, with shorter entries. I am however at the mercy of the Chinese government. I can sometimes access wordpress.com, and other times I must wait to enter Hong Kong before I can speak my mind freely-something about the CCP and a lack of human rights?? I’m not sure what it’s all about… But along with word press, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are all blocked. What does that mean for you and me? That means I won’t be able to see when you can’t wait for the weekend, or when Facebook tells me you are now single (when you have been all along). Nor can I stay up to date with the hottest virals out there. So those of you who have been enjoying double rainbow guy for some time now… I just learned of him the other day – and yes “double rainbow, full on… man.”

If you do wish to contact me more efficiently, go for any of the below methods. Hope this reaches the shores of Merrimack and beyond.

John

Cell: (86) 13510338918

Email: gallagherjo.p(at)gmail(dot)com

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The Beijing Beat: #1

Daily life in China is full of interesting cultural curiosities, oddities, and plain old whatchyacallits. They are there every day to see if you open your eyes. Sometimes, they just happen to you. Some are worthy of a rich description, but others I just want to tell you guys in a few short blurbs. That is why I have decided to post time to time a list of things that I witness or happen to me in my day to day scene that stop me in my tracks on pure absurdity, confounder, and awesomeness.

The past few weeks…

1. Walked into a Wal-Mart (familiar right?), saw a live turtle get its head and limbs cut off and dissected(not!)
2. Ate mule, pig and chicken liver, and a decent club sandwich (hey, a good sandwich is not easy to come by!)
3. While at karaoke… after a good hour of singing patriotic Chinese songs, there was a request for me to sing  American Rap. I performed Eminem’s Lose Yourself in front of my boss and coworkers. I am never being invited out to karaoke again…ever…
4. Ran the pool table for over 2 hours with the largest, friendliest, pool sharking South African diplomat I have ever met. *Big-ups Jeffrey!*(seriously though, we are talking well over 3 bills… but man, what a player)
5. One night in a small restaurant… talked for hours with a Chinese man who knew nothing but the Blues.

JohnyG

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Beijing, round 二!

Beijing!

If you are privy to the post below this one, you know I am now situated in Beijing (and with that, goes the integrity of my [previous] blog title…). Its only been a month, but its one that will not be forgotten easily. Upon arriving, I was greeted by a mutual contact, who helped me find my internship in the first place. Honestly, without his help I would have had a month long headache. Professor Liu, is a part time teacher at 人民大学 (People’s University) and full-time saint. Like I said, he took care of me from the very beginning. He picked me up from the airport (which was only the first time we met!), let me stay in his university apartment for a week, fed me, and helped me find an apartment. So for all the self-less help, big-ups to 刘老师 (Liu Laoshi).

Looking back, it seems the first month progressed weekly, so I’ll break it down for you.

第一个星期

I arrive in Beijing, and spend most time either with Professor Liu, or checking out the sights. Living on campus is fun, since I can use their facilities, food is dirt cheap, and there are plenty of people my age around.

第二个星期

Work starts. I am working at a Chinese Management Consulting firm. I am the only foreigner, and as much as I’d like to think my Chinese has improved, its obvious I could not survive as an actual employee in a Chinese office. The language limitations strangle my opportunities for helping them out. However, I can still edit their English web page! On top of that, I can compare it to the Chinese one at the same time. So, in essence I am actually getting paid to study Chinese in an office setting! Not so bad. Also at this time, I need to start moving out into my own apartment. With the help of Professor Liu, I find a place for about $150 USD a month. Move.

第三个星期

Work continues, may it be slowly. My flatmates are two Chinese about my age.

Me at the Birthday Dinner w/ my Original Roommates

They are recent grads who are working on their own start-up company. They are super-friendly with helping me settle in, and in line with typical Chinese culture, treat me out to dinner at any chance they get. In fact, on the first night of living their, I was invited to attend one of their friends birthday parties. The birthday girl was from 新疆 (Xinjiang) and we ate Uighur food. Delicious! And what a great group of friends to fall into. Unfortunately as the week goes on, and I return to my grimy apartment day after day, I realize I have been ignoring a feeling of loneliness that I have had for a little bit now. Even with meeting hospitable and friendly Chinese people, there is still the void of relating with people from your own culture that needs a fill. So in this third week, I am starting to feel like this whole China trip has run its course. Maybe its time to head

新疆人 People from Xinjiang don't always look Chinese!

home. On top of that, I find out the desk in my room is a cockroach nest. I spend multiple nights in a  row killing 10+ roaches each night… Now, I knew when I moved in, I wasn’t moving into the Belmont, Fairview, or even the Lowell Housing Authority. I draw the line when I start having phantom visions of cockroaches though. I can only react to so many black specs of dirt a day before I call it quits!

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St. Patrick Day

I will make a special entry for this day. For this is the day where everything I have told you so far, will no longer apply. I forgot to mention that besides the blatant filth of my apartment, the location was actually really cool. I would go days with being the only foreigner (which is kinda neat), lots of good Chinese food, and a 5 minute walk to one of Beijing’s worst business plans, but best pizza house… The Kros Nest! Fortunately, The Kros Nest takes its pizza seriously, and its purely American holidays even more so. They had an entire week of 10 kuai ($1.5 USD) Guinness. Amidst my loneliness on longing for familiarity (this should tell you how easy I was able to get along in Hong Kong as I spent 6 months ther and never felt this feeling so strongly… its been 1 month in Beijing)  I donned my finest greens and headed over. It just so happened that it was a Tuesday, and those who know in Beijing, know that every Tuesday at 6pm SHARP the Kros Nest opens a new keg of Tsingtao, and serves it up free until its dry. Try and tell me there is no God! As I sat there eating my pizza, enjoying my Guinness and finally reading “On the Road,” I started a conversation with the table of foreigners across from me. Turns out they were a bunch of Americans taking part in their culture too. The night took off from there and ended in me waking up sleeping cabby’s for a ride home from a house party. Since then, I’ve broken into the foreigner scene here, and boy is it a good time.

第四个星期

In my fourth week, with my loneliness vanquished, I moved to a new apartment. Just a bit more each month than the previous, but no cockroaches, and… 24 hr hot water, which you would learn is not a right, but a privilege here in China. The new location is in the middle of a couple universities as well, so there is a small night life here. Needless to say, I’m no longer the token foreigner in the neighborhood. In exchange, I get convenience, western dining options, and easy subway access. Oh yea, and cleanliness!

…the present

Everything in Beijing has been worth it so far. Even the down moments. I can truly say I love it here. From what I can see, the city has a unique way of bringing people (mostly talking about foreigners here) together. It’s not uncommon to run into the same people in different places from time to time. This makes networking (the lifeblood of business in China) so intuitive.

These past two weeks have taught me that no matter how dedicated I want to be to becoming fluent in the language, I can’t ostracize the ex-pat community and expect to get along just fine. Because,hey… it feels good when you can relate.

Gone are the feelings of wishing the months would pass faster than an angry Chinese woman on a motorized three wheeler! Beijing has decided to take care of me, and I’m glad. Don’t fret though. Nothing could change how excited I am to “see the faces that remember my own.”

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Approved!

Hey there… I feel like I should do a double take to make sure that this post is real. You see, it’s because I have been in Mainland China for a month now, and last I checked, I could not access my blog through China’s “Great Firewall.” It would appear that they have deemed me as a non-threat. Which, I would have to agree with…

Anywho, now that I am back to having access to my blog, I will update you guys on whats been happening for the past month. Real quickly… I moved to Beijing, and I am interning here. It is amazing!

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Harbin (哈尔滨)

On January 2nd, Ed, Momo, and I left Hong Kong for Harbin. Harbin is located in Heilong Jiang (黑龙江) Province in northeast China. From Harbin, it only takes a half hour to reach to the Russian border and cross into the Siberian. Also of mention is that only a short distance to the east lies North Korea. China, Russia, and North Korea… needless to say there were no strong displays of being an American.

Harbin is a town that has seen its fair share of industrialization over the past 30 years. The people there are quite friendly, and speak with a fairly thick accent. Even Momo (a Chinese native) had to ask for cab drivers and waitresses to repeat themselves. Weather-wise, Harbin enjoys temperate summers, and bitterly cold winters. While we were there, the temperature varied from -5 C to -15 C (23 F to 5 F). The only real reason to visit this city under such horrid conditions is to take part in its annual ice festival. Across the entire city, ice sculptures ranging from simple lamp posts, to famous faces, to castles are constructed for winter revelers’ enjoyment. The festival is a month long, and at the end people are encouraged to destroy the structures themselves. Also worthwhile seeing is the tiger park just north of the main city. This was really wild. I’ll describe it all in detail below.

We touched down in Harbin, and the cold could be felt immediately. It penetrated the airport easily, and we would soon find that it didn’t think much of hotel walls either (or maybe the hotels just didn’t think much in the way of heaters). We took the 30 minute cab ride into town and arrived at our hotel to find chains around the door. We had arrived later than expected, and our room had been resold. Luckily, our cab driver was a friendly fellow, and he was more than happy to drive us around and recommend a few other places to stay. Unfortunately, his recommendation was a pit. As we were in a rush to get a bed, we quickly paid for the first vacant hotel. Never again. The room was in the

Ed and Momo sticking it out in the Horror Hotel

basement. The only form of heat was in two miniature heat fans that had the same effect as throwing a pebble to the ocean. The bathroom smelt like a dog kennel. There was a window in our room that looked out to the hallway, and the strangest thing of all was a bizarre black trail from the door to the bathroom. It looked like a scene out of a horror movie. We made it through the night, and went back to our original hotel in the morning to find much better rooms. Clean, heating, and a decent bathroom. On with the fun.

The ice festival was not a let down in the slightest. The first night we walked around taking in what we thought was the main attractions of the ice festival. The main street was interspersed with sculptures of famous art works, musical instruments, famous faces, and more. Along the way, we encountered store after store of Russian commodities. Caviar, matroskas,

Its no Elton John, but its still pretty cool...

sturgeon, and of course vodka were all for sale. I wouldn’t bet the house on the legitimacy of the goods, but they were reasonable priced for what they were. As we arrived at the end of the street, one fo the larger ice sculptures we had seen came into view. When we got to it, we were able to see the other side. It was an ice slide that slid you down onto the frozen river at the bottom of the bank. What a great ride it was, but little did we know that this slide would be nothing compared to what we were to encounter in the coming days.

In the next few days we spent our time exploring more of the city streets, eating chuan (串) or chuar (串儿) as it is said in the local accent. Basically, it is meat on a stick, the Chinese kebab. The most common is lamb. The beef is also delicious. The blend of spices is just right, and the warm meat in the freezing cold helps too. Another tasty snack is the sweet potato. I believe it is baked, and served whole with the skin. The aroma carries, and you can smell the sweetness from a distance. Its also a good snack to help fight off the cold.

We continued taking in the festival sights and ventured to a few designated theme park areas where we would find ice and snow sculptures beyond our imaginations. Its probably better to have a look at the pictures taken. The sheer scale of these things was incredible. We had to step out of the cold during one of these parks, and we entered the

I swear I was dancing with a beautiful Russian GIRL right before this. If only Ed had taken the photo properly!!

performance tent. While warming up, we were treated to a Russian dance troupe who performed traditional Russian numbers. And as you will see from pictures, they called upon yours truly for some help up on stage.

Ice Castles Ligting up at Dusk

As mentioned, we visited a tiger park. This place was your basic drive-thru safari, except for the little parts that reminded you that you were in China, not the States. So now your thinking, “well what do you mean John?” And there is really no need to dazzle this one up, because frankly its just crazy. So as you end your tour, you are allowed to walk above the tiger cages on a walk way. And on this walk way, about half way through, you come across a sweet old lady. She was kindly sitting down with a smile on her face, and crates of chicken next to her. Behind this sweet old lady was a price list. And on this price list was the cost you would have to pay if you wanted to feed these chickens to the tigers! But why stop at chickens?! Also on the list (menu) were ducks, “precious

Yes thats a tiger inches away. Yes if you put your finger on the fence it will be eaten. Yes this is China

pearl chicken” (I dont know the translation), an cows. Yes, you can purchase a cow and offer it to the tigers. Incredible. Luckily enough, a crazy Russian guy in our group bought a chicken, which we video taped. I’ll work on getting it up online asap.

So that about wraps up Harbin. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Also, let others know that there has been and will be new posts coming! Thanks!

JohnyG

再见哈尔滨

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