1175 (If Only)
I have been told that you're difficult.To be honest, I don't know what they actually mean by "difficult." As I watch your life in pictures, I find it hard to believe that with those gentle eyes and inviting smile, is someone who might be hard to deal with.
According to them, it is primarily the reason why girls find it hard to stay with you.
They did not see that you were just striving for perfection so hard in order to provide happiness to your mother. They just pointed out the bad things. And because of this, I want to believe that you are just misunderstood -- that you are not difficult -- since somehow, I find myself in you. I scowl, I frown and become so unhappy at times, just like you. But little did they know how childish I am -- we are, actually -- when we get to comfortable around people.
And maybe that is our problem. We tend to get too comfortable around people and give them our trust quickly, that's why it hurts a lot when they disappoint us.
And that is why we hold back. When we hold back and isolate ourselves, they would think that we are "difficult."
How I wish that you would be just near -- I mean, you don't even know me, but I am pretty much sure that if you do, then you would be having someone who understands how you feel. Because let me tell you this, it is hard to have no one near you who completely feels the same way. It feels sad.
And I don't want you to feel sad.
You make people happy. You make me happy. You don't know how many people crave to see your smile everyday just for them to be happy. If I have my way, I'd go there and show you how much you have to be appreciated and understood.
If only fate could just give me a chance to be with you. If only.
10 things I learned in China (aside from Mandarin)
- If they say 9:00, then 9:00 it is. 9:01 is never 9:00. The locals here are strict about the time. If it's 8:40 on your ticket, the train is leaving at exactly 8:40. Be late once, then better be prepared to hear "Ah! You're late!" instead of their usual warm, "Ni hao!"
- The art of bargaining. Chinese vendors tend to charge foreigners up to 70% more than the original price. However, they would eventually give in if you become too makulit in bargaining. Here's one tip though: if you are not satisfied with their final price, you can just walk away. Count two seconds and they will call you back to let you buy the item with the price that you wanted. ;)
- Snickers is a better choice than Oreo. Because they are sooo much cheaper there. A regular sized Snickers there costs around 2.80rmb, which is around 28php only. The regular sized Oreos are being sold in 7rmb (49php), almost the same price here in the Philippines.
- Drink hot water. Because it's safer. You can't just trust the glass of water they serve in restaurants because tap water in China's not that good, so they serve it hot, just to prove that the water they give you is safe.
- There isn't such thing as a standard way to hold chopsticks. It's all up to you. Each local has a different way to hold a pair of chopsticks. Whichever way you think will be the easiest for you -- well, use it.
- Initiate a conversation, even if you are the foreigner. Locals tend to be a bit shy, especially when they are not too good in speaking English, so if you want to make friends, you better start talking to them first -- politely.
- Taiwan is considered as a Chinese province. And even if they use Mandarin, their accent is very different from the people in Mainland. I didn't know this until our tour guide pointed at huge standee of Lin Chi-ling (Jerry Yan's ex-girlfriend...) and told us that she is from Taiwan -- a province of China just above the Philippines. And I was like, oh... *me so dumb*
- Dumplings are considered as staple food. Dumplings there do not mix with rice and noodles. They are too heavy to be paired with other staple food -- because these dumplings are also considered as staple food.
- Your student's ID will be your best buddy. It is the key to endless 50% discounts on tourist tickets and such. Make sure it is always with you.
- Pick the middle bunk bed when riding the train for more than 8 hours. You wouldn't be able to enjoy the view when you pick the topmost and the lowest bunk. Plus the hassle.
Labels: Beijing, Mandarin, summer, Xi'an
The Xi'an Experience
When people talk about China, you would often hear Beijing, Guangzhou or Shanghai. Xi'an is not as popular as these three, but little did others know that this city possesses several of the most famous landmarks of the country, and one of the oldest and most prestigious universities not just in China, but in Southeast Asia as well.
As summer campers of Confucius Institute, aside from enjoying perks such as "free dining, transportation and tour" for fourteen days, we are required to attend Mandarin classes, including learning the language, and some of the traditional Chinese culture.
That is why in traveled for 12 hours via train (with cabin beds) all the way from Beijing to Xi'an, and stayed in Northwest University for ten days.
For several days we attended morning classes with two of our favorite laoshi's (teachers), Heidi and Christine, whom both we have known in the Philippines before. We are fortunate enough to have them, since it will comfortable for us to learn because we already are familiar with them.
During the afternoons, we have the culture classes. We learn one traditional culture per afternoon, such as Chinese traditional painting, Chinese calligraphy, and TaiJi (Tai Chi).
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| During TaiJi classes. GAME FACE ON! |
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| After-class photo with TaiJi Master Hua. |
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| With the one who is so professional in Chinese calligraphy, Viga Li laoshi! |
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| All of them are boasting their paintings, and then there's me... nevermind. |
And if we ever have free days or afternoons, we are all in tourist mode! ;-)
One of the first places in Xi'an that we had the chance to visit is the Bell Tower. It is located at the center of the city, and people value it so much that they don't build establishments higher than the said tower because of the respect that they give to the popular landmark. If there would be a building in Xi'an that is higher than the Bell Tower, that establishment will be ordered to be demolished.
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| The view from the Bell Tower. Sorry we didn't have a photo of the tower -- the view's too nice! |
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| Groupie at the Bell Tower |
Just nearby the tower, there is this place called the Muslim Road, where you can buy cheap souvenirs like ref magnets, keychains, chopsticks and even different kinds of street food.
We have also visited the famous and historical Terracotta Warriors...
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| The famous Terra Cotta Warriors |
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| I bless you, my dear warriors... ;-) |
The Historical Ruins of Imperial Hot Springs...
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| I just used to see this on postcards... |
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| I just had to. I'm sorry. ;-) |
And the Great Wild Goose Pagoda!
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| Guess who almost touched the tip of the Pagoda? ;-) |
But my most favorite spot is the South Lake (also known as the Swan Lake). It is that kind if place that you often see in movies and TV shows, wherein there is a beautiful lake, a beautiful bridge, and a beautiful sunset to look at! Perfect for taking photos, definitely.
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| "Lumot sa Bato" |
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| Again, I just had to. Duibuqi. :-) |
There are numerous unexpected adventures, like visiting the new campus of Northwest University, and our "great escape" to the 人人乐 (big supermarket), but I guess the post would just be too long if I included the whole story (especially the great escape. Hihi).
The whole trip was nothig but memorable. Maybe it's great since its "free," we only paid for our airline ticket and the rest was sponsored by Confucius Institute, but the whole experience is priceless.
China may not be in good terms with the country that I am from, but I don't have a bad experience at all with dealing with the locals. At first we tried to hide our nationalities because of the dispute, but since our complexions and dialects were too obvious, we decided to just tell them truth. Frankly, most of them did not care about the dispute. They were so warm and welcoming, especially the students of NW.
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| The China Babies with ate Nicole, the sole Filipina in studying in Northwest University. |
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| Me with some of the Chinese students I talked to before going home. |
Because of this, I see a slight resemblance of China to Philippines in some way. China, despite all the bad things about it, especially these days, you can never deny that their country is beautiful. Just like how beautiful Philippines is, in spite of all the negative things people would usually associate our country with.
I consider this an achievement — travelling to a country (which has a dispute with my country, beat that!) without anybody related to me waiting for me there. After all the shits I went through, from the hassle of getting a new passport, to dealing with the error on my name stated on my airline ticket, I should say that the whole trip is worth it. So worth it.
to Jairalaine Trogo and Aaron Paul Dela Rosa for some of the photos posted above. :)
Labels: Mandarin, summer, Xi'an
