In the sleek, new modern terminal of San Francisco airport I am waiting for my flight to Beijing and counting the wrinkled old red RMB notes bearing Mao’s stoic countenance I just received from a currency trader. I will be in China for six months, studying abroad, traveling, and possibly interning. This is a trip of many firsts: first time to Asia, first time living in a foreign country, first time living in a large city, first time traveling completely by myself.
This morning I awoke after getting merely 3 hours of sleep and my parents drove me to the airport. As I got out of the car into the terminal, a fiery red glow lit up the eastern sky as the sun rose--I being the night owl that I am rarely see such a sight. Then, echoing Mao, I proclaimed, "The East is red." I then declared the Chinese proverb, which I thought quite fitting for this occasion, "The journey of 1000 li begins with a single step." I said a sad goodbye to my folks, went through security, and was on my way to San Francisco for the first leg of the journey.
In around 12 hours I will be in Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China, ancient capital of Chinese dynasties, northern capital, etc. I have no idea what awaits me there, besides a whole lot of people, noise, pollution, and yes Chinese food. For the first five days before my program at Capital Normal University begins, I am on my own. I will be staying in a hutong, 胡同, an alleyway neighborhood that was once the fabric of the city.
Having just purchased my economist, whose title reads ominously Asia’s Shock, I am ready to go. I am ready for this adventure, after months of planning, anticipation, excitement, and nerves. I look forward to checking in again once I land in China…
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI think that's the beauty of traveling. You know that there is something great awaiting you once you land.
ReplyDelete