Take-Aways

I am a student again, with the student card to prove it. I can’t believe it! And I love it! I love it! I love it. I look at the young people around me and I am envious. Envious that they get to do it so much earlier than me. Imagine going somewhere as far and exotic as China is for me, in your early twenties. Well, I can say it’s just as exciting and scary in your thirties. I had no clue what to do and where to go and the classes haven’t even started yet. Beijing is truly great. The people are very friendly and polite. More than once I have asked for directions and the people have not only shown me where it was but accompanied me to it. Today we had the placement test. Basically they check your level to se which class they might put you in. I turned up thinking it would be a multiple choice test or at worst one where you would actually have to write in Chinese. It was worse! An oral test in front of every body! I guess they know that there are so many levels of illiteracy in Chinese. You may be able to speak but not be able to read a single word. You may also be able to read relatively ok but not be able to write a single word. The point is being in a class where it’s not too easy so it’s boring and not too hard so it discourages you. Anyway, I will only know by tomorrow morning when the class starts at 8.00am to be precise. It’s a bit of a problem as a mate from Guangzhou is in town and has invited me for salsa. How can I resist? Anyway, I am developing a new passion and it’s called Beijing. Between the art scene, the hutong, the food, the good weather, the sightseeing and the upcoming rave party at the Great Wall I don’t know when I will fit in sleeping. Maybe in the next life.