The Knigelverse

Getting news out of Beijing has been more trouble than I anticipated. Firstly Twitter and Facebook are blocked and secondly the Internet in my hostel, The Red Lantern House, will not connect to the Internet. I had installed some software to get around the block; however, it is pretty much useless without connexion.

All in all, everything is well and I’m getting used to everything while experiencing something new every day.

He one thing is that I haven’t been able to adapt to the air. More about it soon.

Currency Within Borders, originally uploaded by Knigel.

I am preparing for my trip to Beijing in two days. To be honest, I know next to nothing about China. I know tidbits; however, I must be real and accept that what I know is nothing compared with what is there for me to learn. I am looking to this trip as a learning experience of which I must keep in mind to be a traveler instead of a tourist. As usual, I will not mind giving up some comfort for the sake of experiencing something obscure or worthwhile.

I feel I will stick out like a sore thumb; however, after living in Cuba and South Korea, I have gotten quite used to curious attention. I have been told that Beijingers, due to the many foreigners, pay little attention. Still, I’m sure that I’m going to run up against some cultural differences–sometimes people just do not accept Canadian currency.

The one challenge I’m not sure I’m looking forward to is the sea of human flesh that I am about to go up against.