Shenzhen lies on the southern coast of China. Naturally, one would think it would have at least one beach in the city…but beaches don’t go with the image of a modern technical city, and so they’ve been traded in for excessive development (with the exception of Shenzhen Bay Park, which is a beautiful, green walking […]
Digging for treasures at a Chinese Beach Read More »
It was hot. In fact, it had been hot in Shenzhen for the past two weeks. The kind of hot and humid weather that makes you start sweating the moment you go outside. The kind of hot that makes your body feel weak and tired. It was Saturday. Normally, we’d sleep in and have a
The day I learned to paddle a dragon boat Read More »
When we first moved to China, 11 months ago, I was terrified about falling into a routine and yet I desperately needed a break from the constant motion and change of travel. As humans we crave routine. Our brains are always searching for routines because it is easier. After all, a well worn road is
The sun hadn’t yet started its gentle rise by the time we awoke. Rubbing the sleep from our eyes Martin and I briskly walked to the metro station in the drizzling rain. With our two French friends, we caught the first subway to the train station and the second train to Xiamen, a city 3 hours by
Ancient Chinese Communes – Fujian Tulou Read More »
Martin and I have been living in Shenzhen for almost 10 months. Many people are curious about what it’s like to live here, so I thought I would answer a few common questions about life in Shenzhen. Please keep in mind that everyone’s lives are different and these are simply my experiences. What’s the food
Living in China – FAQs Read More »
Martin and I have been living in China for almost seven months. When I first arrived, I was terrified about falling into a ho-hum routine (check out my first post from China). While I have fallen into a routine, I don’t think it is ho-hum. My life here is pretty good. But living in China
7 Months Living in China: A Retrospective Read More »
Trade your expectations for appreciation and your whole world changes instantly. When I left my home to travel for an indefinite amount of time, I had grand expectations of what I would do. I pictured myself becoming a fearless person, hitchhiking to remote villages, making friends with strangers, cooking with them in their kitchens. I
Trading My Expectations for Appreciation Read More »
I’ve now slept in the same bed for 8 consecutive weeks – the longest period of time in two years. Time flitters by and anxiety creeps in. Am I wasting my life? What do I want? The transition from traveling full time to working full time has been harder than I expected. I work. A
Baffled Daily By Chinese Culture Read More »
Our brains naturally gravitate toward routines. We like patterns. It makes life easier, which leaves more energy for non-routine things, like navigating to a new destination or solving a complex problem. When Martin and I decided to embark on a traveling adventure, I desperately wanted to break out of my routines, some of which I
The Allure and Trap of Routines Read More »
I start my new job tomorrow. Granted, it’s just training week, but I still have to get dressed up and be somewhere specific for 8 hours continuously. And someone will pay me to do that. Martin and I landed in China nearly a week ago. One week in travel time can be a lifetime. One
Welcome Home: Shenzhen, China Read More »