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!