Things I Like

There are a lot of things I like about China.

• Personally, I find the people direct - there is no fooling around about tips, scams, prices going up all of sudden.  The price is what is says.  And in general, money is ok to talk about (people ask me what I paid for things....).  

• There is seldom conflict that I see (maybe I am just not catching it, but that's ok).  I've seen two electric bikes run into each other and the drivers just smiled. Maybe they avoid confrontation in public (or maybe just with foreigners), but I find people mostly always pleasant or at least business like.

• Taxis are so cheap and efficient.  Several times a week I must take a taxi home and it costs me $5 (35 rmb) for 25-30 minutes.  It's incredible.  The drivers are polite and professional and often friendly.  They are electric cars, too.

• Delivery of anything is possible.  Boxes come to a cabinet in our building now, with a code.  No delivery fees. Most things are very cheap if you buy them on Taobao.

• WeChat is the only way to pay anymore. This has changed in the last 5 years.  You really can't use cash much. I feels very secure to me - so far I have never had a problem with it. 

• They manage covid now with minimal disruption to the whole country (it seems). If there is an outbreak, that particular area is affected but not the rest of the country.  I have personally known no one (not a single person) who ever had covid here in china.  Or even someone who knew someone.

• They don't care about us.   I feel they have their own ways and we are just interesting distractions or weirdos. But kind of irrelevant. I have never felt that before in my travels to other places. In a way, it's freeing.  But also a bit disconcerting to kind of float. I know there are places like London and Paris and New York! but I haven't seen them in a long time and they are not central to anyone's existence here.  

There are many hotels (and malls).

There are many green hills (like in the New Territories of Hong Kong) you can hike (not that I do).

You know my love of tea.

Nikki's school.

View from up high (one of my favorite things).