New Post Alert!!! 6 Months Down

It is now officially been 6 long months living in Harbin, China, with 6 more to go. Occasionally still meeting some new interesting or cool people around the city, and also being introduced to some hidden gems or events within the city not many people know about, especially locals.

Since my last post a lot has happened in Harbin so far. I’ve been to a live music show in downtown Harbin, that most locals never knew occasionally takes place. The music was good and soulful, although I didn’t understand the words because it was in Chinese haha, other than that it was very good and relaxed vibe. Along with this we have stumbled upon some new cafes that similar life back home in the West or Europe. This is a nice change in pace from the normal routine of life here amongst the small expat community that resides in Harbin of simply going to bars or clubs each weekend.

Halloween was heavily celebrated in China more than I thought it would to be honest. Me and some close friends dressed up as 70’s Basketball team and I was there coach! It was a night to remember in Harbin. Met some cool people at some bars both locals and expats like myself.

SMOG ALERT!!!
When the weather begins to transition from Autumn into Winter here in China, there is heavy increase of smog throughout the country and masks are mandatory especially if you're a foreigner here temporarily or just simply want to protect your health, either way you should wear a mask!

It has started to snow here and to be honest I am actually looking for to winter here, as they have many ski hills throughout Harbin and outdoor activities such as the Ice and Snow show. This takes place throughout Harbin at various locations according to the information I have been given on this major event. Events that take are swimming in the river during the coldest period in winter, an ice city similar to the one in Montreal, Quebec only as I’ve been told it is much larger here in Harbin and also an assortment of games.

On the topic of winter activities that some locals in Harbin like to partake in is hockey. I was privileged to see a pick-up hockey game that one of my friends here plays in with some locals and police officers. The players here are actually really good at hockey from what I seen. I might also find a sport to play during winter to occupy some time here.

That is life in Harbin currently. Until next time!

Detour to Beijing!

The Great Detour to Beijing

Took a little detour to the capital for my birthday with some friends. Amazing city, great people and atmosphere. The journey to Beijing from Harbin on the speed train, was about 8hrs in a standing section but luckily we bought a few folding chairs to sit on for our long 8hr journey to Beijing. 

During that train ride we met some interesting people along the way a few young Chinese children who spoke a beginner to intermediate level English, which was very interesting to see that these young children could have open conversations, able to tell time and answer some beginner to high level questions either with ease or after a few seconds to process what has been said or asked. 

Finally we arrived in Beijing and was hit with the first Great Wall of China, a sea of people all on vacation in Beijing. The train station was a massive mob of people trying to navigate their way out of the train station to a taxi, bus or subway to get to their next destination, but luckily for us we traveled with a girl named Surine, who is a native Chinese speaker from Harbin so getting around was fairly simple for us.

In Beijing I finally seen the Chinese culture and ancient Chinese architecture I expected to see when I first came to China in Harbin 4 months ago. Not saying Harbin doesn't have its own beauty, but it is more European styled because of its past occupation by Russian's from 1898 to mid 1960's. It does add a sense of home with a mix of European style with the variety of food, bars, restaurants, clothing styles and mix of Chinese and Russian themed events and structures.

Immediately on our second day in Beijing we took to the city and tried some cultural habits of Chinese people. For example food, clothing, tea and even tested out our Chinese with a few locals who spoke English or some English. It was hilarious experience a lot of laughs just walking around the city. Later that night we took to Tienanmen Square when it wasn't so crowed, and it was a nice experience not to many people so we could explore it with ease before taking to the Beijing night life!

Day 3 we took "The Great Wall" and met some cool expats from the America and Germany, from other cities in China. En route to the Great Wall, we had a tour bus guide who was named Jackie Chan. You know at first I thought maybe I didn't hear correctly, but her repeated his name more than once and I wasn't the only person on the bus who was laughing. Besides that one highlight the bus ride was a long and agonizing journey of constant stops and other issues, but when we finally arrived it was an amazing experience climbing our way up to the Great Wall and getting that cultural experience.

 

Day 4 was a more relaxed and chill day to just wonder around, meet some people and have few drinks. By night fall I went to a Woodstock event at a small venue, with nice calm and lounge vibe which is something I wish Harbin had. This place reminded me of home, just hanging with friends either by a lake or somewhere somewhere relaxed with good music, food and people.

Finally to conclude this post is the train ride home. It was a long train ride until we met some Chinese locals who loved Canadians and Americans. We had a few beers well, some food, competition and a lot of laughs. In that Process we met a cool girl named Rachel who spoke English as was also from Harbin, who helped translate the Chinese that we didn't understand or could speak.
I also shocked some people because of physically fit I am and was called a basketball player. The true highlight of that train ride home was when I told them I'm from Canada and I quote his response not in a racist way was "Canada? but..but...but......(long dramatic pause) Canada is all white people, yes?" at that moment we're all dying of laughter then I explained Canada has the most diversity in the West. That moment he learned something new but still thought I was a basketball player in China.


All Beijing was an amazing experience filled with a lot of laughs, new friends, new experiences and most of all Memories!

Did a little Hiking

Fenghuangshan Geopark 

Did a little hiking in Wuchang, Heilonjiang, China at Fenghuangshan National Geopark. It was an amazing experience a truly great way to break in my 4 months of living in China!

This hike so was a work excursion with the school I work with here in Harbin. Great co-workers and leaders I honestly couldn't asked for a better environment to work in, especially since its my first time not only teaching in China, but living here too. The journey began from district in Harbin to Wuchang, which was a 5hr bus ride filled with games, trivia, laughter, food, a karaoke and of course some amazing country side views along the way.

When we finally arrived to our hotel, which was surprisingly a lot nicer on the inside than I would of expected after seeing some of the nearby hotels and motels along the way. As we entered the hotel we were greeted kindly, cleaned up and served lunch before our first hike which was 2500m that took about 2hrs to complete at a good steady pace. There was one view in particular I wish I could of gotten a better look at was, at one the viewing points on the peak of the mountain when the clouds parted a gave you a strong sense of just how high up you were from the bottom of the mountain.

After this we headed back to hotel cleaned up ourselves ate dinner together like a big family, gave toasts, went outside for some more karaoke, team building exercises and a little bonfire to end off the night. 

The second mountain was a 6000m hike with a lot steep steps, plus rain which made it a little challenging to hike through and navigate through safely, but luckily we all came prepared for the unexpected weather patterns. Throughout most the hike when weather was good believe it or not I practically ran up the mountain to each rest area just in case it decided to rain cats and dogs along the way up. I have since been called "Superman" by my coworkers and they wonder if I can fly haha! The entire 6000m hike took me around 4hrs at a relatively steady pace with my team. 

The views along the way and even at the peak of each mountain were breath taking "literally" lol

All in all it was a very rewarding experience of accomplishment, team building and like I said before a great way to ring in my 4 months living in China. 

 

 

This experience was even better, because it was with not just co-workers and leaders, but individuals who are very family oriented have now become family to me and make me feel more welcomed to this country.

So I attended a Wedding!

So I attended a Wedding!

 

So I was invited to a wedding by a friend I met here Lisa, whom I mentioned in a previous post. The wedding was an amazing experience, I met a lot of people and as you could image being the only western face there I was the center of attention next to the Bride and Groom of course. 

I was then asked to be the best man at wedding, because it would be considered a great honour to the family, so I gladly accepted after only knowing the family for roughly one hour haha.  The Groom was the brother of Lisa who is very nice guy and owns a successful shop in Harbin. After the ceremony I was invited by Lisa's father to have a beer in celebration although I had enough, in Chinese it is a disrespect to decline a kind gesture on special day like a wedding. Long story short I am now really cool with the family and some of their friends once they all could see how much I can eat and drink, all with minimal bathroom breaks after a few hours of drinking.

I also discovered that it is a big honour to have western friends and especially on special occasions like a wedding.

All in all after each progress update I do on my life here, it just keeps getting better and better! After only 3 months here I've done more and experienced more then some locals or other foreigners who have been in Harbin or China longer than I have. Slowly becoming famous here, haha!

 

Life in China PART: 2

Life in China Part: 2

Life in Harbin, China is still good and only getting better!

James, myself & chill locals @ The Fox Pub

Weather here in the summer I will say is similar to back in Toronto, Canada. What I mean is that the weather is very moody for example, it can be super hot here one day, cool the next or rainy which can leave expats who are still fresh to the environment here a little exposed to the possibility of getting sick more than they normally would in their own home country. When you think about it its honestly not that bad when think about it. Weather like this makes it easier to explore the city and meet other expats from around the world, locals who want to 

become friends, seeing new monuments or tourist attractions, and also getting the chance to test out just how much your Chinese has progressed or how badly your foreign pronunciation butchers the language lol All in all people usually always know or have an idea of what you are trying to say and some will help you with pronunciation. My Advice on the language meet locals who speak English or understand a great deal of English this can help you the language faster.

Since meeting some other expats here in Harbin, I have been able to meet a lot of new people, gain some insight on tips and tricks to survive here, and overall new experiences.

 
Jake & I outside Black Jack's Bar

This is Jake the Taxi driver I found who speaks English, which is a huge life saver at night time trying to get home or go out to meet some friends, especially after a good night of bar hopping or partying. I suggest everyone find themselves a Jake while in a foreign country! Very handy resource that not only has your back, but can also teach you some of the language, places to avoid and things to see and try during my time in Harbin.                                                             Boom Boom Room

One of the other local expats I met here in Harbin, who funny enough found me through my blog. His name is James, a really cool guy who like me is an English Teacher and is a big travel like myself which is good to have to exchange info or eventually plan a trip. Another local expat I met through James her name is Estefania, she is from Ecuador and a guy named Prince he is from Iraq. Like James they are super cool, down to earth and laid back people, the best expats I have met so far in Harbin; they know the language and there way around which is really helpful for someone like myself who has just moved here. My first experience meeting all three of them together was a great night started out a bar called the Madieer an then moved to a club called the Boom Boom Room.

Jake, myself & Lisa @ Ava Lava Bar
One of the locals here I have had the pleasure of meeting is Lisa. She is an amazing girl, speaks a fair amount of English which again for me comes in handy. I have tried some new authentic Chinese food with and a few other experiences, all in all what I can say about her is that is smart, down to earth and can hold her own!

Besides all the partying you have to go out experience some of the local life during the day for example check out a local park, a monument, just any tourist stuff you can do when its like piping hot outside and you feel like your melting like the witch from wizard of Oz.

Harbin is a big city but it has a lot of beauty in it and locals can help you experience that beauty, like trying a restaurant, certain foods, drinks, stores for better deals and of course for all us travelers out there; hook up on cheap flights and travel deals. Things you can't find or get just trying to Google it or using Trip Advisor. Those resources can only take you so far and in my opinion only occasionally scratches the surface of life here and what it can offer.

To end off this post I will say life here not what you expect or hear about, much any country. To get the full scoop you need to live and feel for yourself.

Images below are from a local Children's Park in the Daoli District, near Songhua River and Zhongyang Street (Central Street)