Ever gone back to the place where you grew up long after you left?
I did.
During the coldest nights of winter '09, me and my crazy parents decided to head up north to the cold-ER and dry-ER Beijing for 5 days. Boy it was cold. I don't know how I survived year after year when I grew up in Beijing (probably because I was wrapped up in so many layers). Acclimation does not occur over night, so while I shivered and shriveled during the day - sightseeing still had to go on.
From temples to our old apartment, from the Olympic Village to family friends' place, there was always someone wherever you look. With such a huge population, I don't blame them for being in my sight. Beijing was better than I assumed - more welcoming and friendly than Shanghai (no offence to anyone). Taxi drivers were chatty, one even sang for us.
Now for my complaints (mwahaha).. I think I lost my train of thought..
Oh yes now I remember. Going back to the area where I grew up, all these things have changed. Shops that used to be there aren't there anymore, people that used to be there aren't there anymore. Then I feel stupid for trying to hold on to past memories like how I used to press my face against the shop window to watch the lady decorate the cake. (Wonder if I looked funny to her)
Then there's the visit to the Temple. Somehow, a desserted place during other times of the year suddenly becomes packed with people during Chinese NY. I pushed, and I got pushed. Everywhere I "walked", I could not spread my elbows apart. We were packed tighter than rice in a sushi roll (screw the sardine can metaphor). Oh and a fight started but then I got dragged away by mum.
During this trip, I ate yellow tomatoes and fish made into a squirrel. I was close to being deafened by hundreds fireworks that was planted along the street, being fired away only metres infront of me (it was like a warzone). I babysat kids for family friends while the older generation chatted (For the first time, I found out that baby-SITTING could be taken so literally). I banged my head on the taxi door countless times.
But I'd go back there anyday.
I did.
During the coldest nights of winter '09, me and my crazy parents decided to head up north to the cold-ER and dry-ER Beijing for 5 days. Boy it was cold. I don't know how I survived year after year when I grew up in Beijing (probably because I was wrapped up in so many layers). Acclimation does not occur over night, so while I shivered and shriveled during the day - sightseeing still had to go on.
From temples to our old apartment, from the Olympic Village to family friends' place, there was always someone wherever you look. With such a huge population, I don't blame them for being in my sight. Beijing was better than I assumed - more welcoming and friendly than Shanghai (no offence to anyone). Taxi drivers were chatty, one even sang for us.
Now for my complaints (mwahaha).. I think I lost my train of thought..
Oh yes now I remember. Going back to the area where I grew up, all these things have changed. Shops that used to be there aren't there anymore, people that used to be there aren't there anymore. Then I feel stupid for trying to hold on to past memories like how I used to press my face against the shop window to watch the lady decorate the cake. (Wonder if I looked funny to her)
Then there's the visit to the Temple. Somehow, a desserted place during other times of the year suddenly becomes packed with people during Chinese NY. I pushed, and I got pushed. Everywhere I "walked", I could not spread my elbows apart. We were packed tighter than rice in a sushi roll (screw the sardine can metaphor). Oh and a fight started but then I got dragged away by mum.
During this trip, I ate yellow tomatoes and fish made into a squirrel. I was close to being deafened by hundreds fireworks that was planted along the street, being fired away only metres infront of me (it was like a warzone). I babysat kids for family friends while the older generation chatted (For the first time, I found out that baby-SITTING could be taken so literally). I banged my head on the taxi door countless times.
But I'd go back there anyday.
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