Om Nom Nom

People say that money makes the world go round.  Now it may make the world turn, but food makes it float.  The interesting thing about different cultures is that they all have very distinct foods.  In the United States, there are many opportunities to try many different country's cuisine.  Although most of it isn’t authentic, there are still dishes that retain their true flavors.  I always knew that Chinese food in the United States is different than the Chinese food in China.  However, until I came to China, I had no idea how divergent it was.  I interviewed my Chinese teacher at my University, and he said that what he would miss most about China if he left (discounting family and friends of course) was the food.  He told me that the food here was very special, and very difficult to duplicate.  The United States is too young of a country to have its own cuisine.  But in a way, all the cuisine in the States is its own cuisine.  There are enough differences between Chinese food and “American” Chinese food that it becomes it’s own.  I have also learned that when I am in the United States, it’s best not to judge whether it is authentic or not.  Better to appreciate it for the food it is, and not compare it.
The Chinese believe in fresh food; this is a huge part of authentic Chinese food.  Everything ordered at a restaurant is made the instant after being ordered.  Food made on the streets is seldom already cooked; it’s cooked after pointed at and saying “这个” (this one), even chestnuts at the local grocery store are roasted fresh by an attendant.  In contrast, “Super China Buffet” is more popular than Dim Sum.  Super China Buffet is just like any buffet place; it’s full of food sitting around.  Furthermore (and not just at buffets), there is meat in abundance.  This is also very uncharacteristic of Chinese food.  I was playing with two girls about 4 years old to help them learn English.  After playing, the family insisted that I stay for an afternoon meal.  When we sat down, there were six different dishes on the table.  One completely meat dish, a soup with tiny shrimp in it, one dish with limited amount of pork, and two wholly vegetable dishes.  Generally, meat is used for flavoring, but vegetables are the main event.  I believe that the best way to enjoy food is to remember that it is never the same.  That goes not just for regular food, but also for anything in China.  Don’t get too attached to it; one minute I was enjoying mango Mentos, the next I might as well have been imagining their existence.

Although we may be at odds with countries, or have different beliefs with people, we always are open to share food with them.  Food is one of the universal things in the world that knows no boundaries.  In every way, we all can get along when we share a meal, a drink, or a snack.  When people do business together in the United States, the parties generally go out for drinks or dinner to talk.  When people are invited to others’ houses in Japan, bringing a snack to eat together is considered very polite.  When someone is upset or going through a hard time, we bring food or a baked good to show our sympathy and understanding.  Although eating is a daily occurrence, it is something everyone has in common.  One of the easiest ways to learn about other cultures is to learn and appreciate their cuisine and traditions that surround it.  Although it can’t solve anything understanding one aspect of a culture opens many doors and nevertheless creates a greater understanding.

On a lighter note, some of the things in China are really bizarre… Everyone has heard of chicken feet, but do you also know that they eat pig stomach? It has this really odd consistency, more of a paste than bologna, which in my opinion is saying something.  They are also fans of “thousand year old eggs” which are hard-boiled eggs that have been aged.  I’m glad that someone likes them… Other exotic goods include pickled soy sauce mangos, freeze-dried spicy meat, and laver (seaweed) covered peanuts.  Yes, to Westerners, there are many weird things in China, but the good news is that there are many delicious dishes too!  Tomato and egg is a common home made food and is my absolute favorite dish.  It was really fun to try eating so many different kinds of vegetables.  There are so many vegetables that I have been ignoring all my life; and I’m so glad that I have been awakened to them.  Things like eggplant and bok choy are seldom used in the United States, but are so nutritious and delicious.  Winter melon is almost unheard of, which as a vegetarian, is saying something.  There are so many things to try in China; I didn’t have time to try it all.  But I now know that the best.  But I know now that the best way to travel is surely to try everything that I come in contact with.  If it smells good, looks good, or you've never see it, I'll definitely try a sample.

  

  

My advice to anyone traveling is to try anything and everything.  If you've never seen it before or are apprehensive, try it anyway; you may end up liking it.  It happened to me, and it can happen to you.  Okay, story time.  Beijing's famous noodles are called zhajiangmian (炸酱面), which features a fermented soy bean sauce.  It sounds sketchy, but it's not.  Trust me.  At the very end of my stay here in Beijing, I decided to go out on a limb and order them and they were extremely tasty.  It almost seems like a paradox that black noodles would be scrumptious, but they were! I only got to eat them once because I refused to give them a real chance.  You just don't know what you're going to like.  Honestly, some of the stuff in China really doesn't sound appetizing when seen or heard of what it's made of.  You just have to look past all that stuff and let your taste buds do the talking.

There's No Place Like Home

Now that I'm only a about a week away from getting back to the United States, I'm feeling a bit trunky (and by a bit, I mean I've been thinking about seeing my mom and eating chips and salsa for a month now).  Lately I've been contemplating the differences between the United States and China; other than my family and friends (because obviously those come first).  I've found that there are a few things that I will really miss about Beijing, and a few things I will definitely NOT.  So here they are, since I'm an optimist, the things I'll miss will go first.

1.) Food

First and foremost I will miss the food, I haven't posted my food post and it's because there is literally so much food in China; I'm 90% sure that if I tried everything there is to try in Beijing, I would return to the United States at least 50 lbs. heavier than before.  But everything here is so tasty and exotic.  It's way different than the food back home.  I have rice with almost every meal and have eaten more meat in the past month than I care to admit (it's not my fault China isn't vegetarian friendly).  Luckily one of my favorite dishes I can easily (and most definitely intend to) cook at my home.  It won't be the same, but it'll be good enough.

2.) Discovering

I'm really going to miss finding new things that I like, or really don't like.  I'm relatively familiar with most things in the States.  But in Beijing, there's new things at every corner.  Makes sense since I've only spent about 4 months of my life in this city.  The Chinese do everything so different than we do.  I'll be frank, some methods I think, "Yeah, that's so smart, why don't we do that?" And others, I just wonder how anything gets done.  Nevertheless, I question everything I run into; for example, how a business can be demolished and replace in only the short span of two weeks; why people think it's okay to leave their restaurant doors open when it's 21°; or why there's only one unlocked exit door to the outside in my entire school.  These are the questions that plague my mind...

3.) Seeing Characters

Seeing characters instead of words really scared me.  Especially when you see it on the menu.  But as the weeks wore on, I was able to recognize a large majority of them.  I'll admit, I feel a bit proud of myself that even though I still can't understand exactly what people say; I can at least read some signs proficiently.  Also, I always though that unless characters were written in a clear font like Times New Roman I would never be able to read them; this turned out to be untrue.  Now I can recognize all sorts of characters albeit I have stare at them a little longer.

And now for the things I won't miss, luckily these things don't counter the good things.  They're only minor, but also so frustrating at the same time; sometimes I didn't know if I was going to survive.

1.) Dirt under the fingernails.

Seriously, this makes me so annoyed.  No matter how much I clean them, they always have something underneath them.  When I'm in the States, dirty finger nails are a sign that it's time to cut my fingernails.  Here in China, the only time my fingernails are clean is the 3 hours after I clean them; then they always seem to get dirty... It's not like I live in a rural area and work in the garden or the field all day; I sit in a classroom and take notes all day.  Fortunately, I was able to ignore it for the most part, but the last few weeks I feel like I've turned into the CDO person who has to always have her fingers perfectly clean.  Thank goodness I'll be returning to the United States where my fingernails and I can live in peace and harmony.

2.) Carpet

I know it seems really immature to be missing carpet, but it's such a precious commodity; where in China can one find such soft plush comfort for one's feet? I can tell you, NO WHERE.  It's so sad.  In addition to the absence of supple ground for me to walk on, my feet are constantly cold.  I now understand the importance Chinese people place on wearing slippers inside, if people didn't, I'm sure that 87% of the population would be missing toes.  It gets that cold in the winter time.  We've all had those siblings who came in from outside and then put their freezing hands on the back of our neck.  Yeah, it's like that when walking on the tile floor.  If I sit down for one minute, I don't want to move; ever.  Not even to eat, I'll eat when I'm warm.  But there's no escaping the cold; it's everywhere.

3.) Internet
About the picture to your left: I realize it's hard to understand why this represents the internet.  It's because I'm not at my apartment.  I'm in a Starbucks submitting my homework.  I traveled 30 minutes halfway across town to get there because the internet at my school was like glue drying on a sloped surface...

I really try my best not to surf the internet.  I like to live my life as free of digital things as possible, but sometimes school forces me to use the internet.  Furthermore, if I ever hope to talk to my family again, its necessary to use my email or Skype.  We all like to reminisce about dial-up internet; how hard it was when you were 14 and wanted to talk to your BFF on the phone, but somebody was chatting it up on AIM.  Dial-up (for those of you who can relate) was slow, but you didn't know any better so you sat and waited five minutes for your email to load.  In China we paid for, internet like dial-up connection, but at a high speed price.  Semi-unfortunate when it's 11:57pm and you still need to submit an assignment by 11:59.  Not that I've ever been in that situation....

Now You See Me, Now You Don't

This is the lovely view I have from my classroom on the 4^th floor; Not bad right? The big tower in the not so far distance is the CRTV tower.  The Chinese government doesn’t let me see this website without a VPN, but you’ll be able to.  If I think it’s the picture I’m thinking of, it shows a two-week record of the air quality here in Beijing.  The people who published it took the same picture of the front of the Forbidden City for two weeks and then used one part of every picture to reconstruct it.  The effect is quite powerful, and it’s a bit embarrassing for China; so it’s understandable why it’s blocked here.  Before coming to Beijing, I knew that the pollution was bad.  My mom saw an article in the Seattle Times about the air quality in Beijing and commented that it would “be really unfortunate if [I] came back with lung cancer,” …yeah, that’d be unfortunate, but I’m not to worried. Anyway, I do admit that it’s a little sad when you look out the window and can barely see the CRTV tower 781 feet high and only a mere two miles away… Hate it when that happens.

Well the people who come back from China in fact do not usually get lung cancer; the major disease I’ve heard people come back with is Tuberculosis.  I think I’ll take the lesser of two evils if I have to choose.  The air quality in Beijing more frequently hazardous than not, and it’s really a shame because the city has the potential to become a cultural hub. There’s so much history and so many things to learn about, classroom studies aside.
No questions asked, the best days are when it’s really windy, which basically translates into, “We have clean air!” The pollution is blown out of the city when it’s windy.  It’s really quite nice actually. It’s these days when I think pollution is not so bad; but then the next week, or even the next day I look up at the sky and think, “Oh look, there’s the sun… I can see its outline without squinting…” I have really enjoyed my time here in Beijing.  But (family aside) I miss the States; the comfort, and convenient living it brings, and yes, most of all the air quality.

10 Things You Won't Find in the United States

1.     Chopsticks (In all shapes and sizes)

Of course, in China, finding chopsticks is obvious because it is their main food utensil.  But there aren’t just wood chopsticks.  There are metal and plastic ones.  Some are decorated with designs, and some are very fancy.  The same way people in the western world have silver utensils; people in the east also have ritzy chopsticks.  In most supermarkets, there are standard wood, plastic, and metal chopsticks.  The plastic ones will most likely have designs on them, and the all generally come in large or small quantities.  However, there are specific shops that carry endless options of high-end chopsticks; chopsticks with gold, different kids of wood, or a matching family set etc.  These chopsticks can run for anywhere between 7 and 100 U.S. dollars per pair.  It just depends on what you prefer, but if you are partial to gold plated chopsticks, plan on bringing more than just a few yuans.

2.     Odd Flavored Chips

For some reason, the Chinese very much enjoy flavoring different foods.  The food in China is very distinct, and different from the rest of the world.  That also means that their snacks are too.  Different chips flavors include but are not limited to shrimp, Mexican Beef, Mexican tomato, Cola and chicken, cucumber, etc.  And people in the States thought the guacamole and salsa chips were revolutionary.  The States has nothing on China.  These odd flavors are not limited to potato chips.  It also extends to crackers with lemon or Neapolitan filling, Oreos with mango and papaya or peach and lime flavoring that taste like floride, and ramen with hot dogs.  Indeed, the flavors in China are very unique compared to the rest of the world.

3.     Shower Shoes

The Chinese people have some very different habits compared to Western cultures.  This habit applies not just to Chinese people, but also to Korean and Japanese people.  There is a mindset that wearing shoes is a necessity.  No matter what you are doing, no matter where you are.  This includes being inside, and yes, being in the shower.  My husband told me a story about his friend in China who was teaching in China.  One time, something in her apartment broke, and so the school sent someone over to fix it.  Upon their arrival they discovered that she was only in socks refused to fix whatever what broke until she finally put on shoes.  So the fact that there are shoes in a basic grocery store in China is no surprise, but traditionally one does not find shoes distinctly meant for a shower.

4.     Raw handmade noodles

These were noodles that had been hand made at the store and are packaged and priced accordingly.  In the United States, most noodles are dry or uncooked, or they are cooked and freeze dried.  These noodles are different; the dough has been cooked, kneaded and the noodles pulled.  But the final step is for the customer to perform.  I think the only place I’ve seen fresh uncooked noodles is at a farmer’s market once a week in the summer time. 

5.     Condiment Containers

The Chinese like to season their food well, at a meal the only food that could be slightly bland is the rice.  At almost every restaurant one might visit in China, there are small metal containers.  In the containers is what looks like red pepper flakes, but these are much spicier than your average pepper flakes in the States.  They are also swimming in some kind of oil that amplifies the spice.  The food in Beijing is very strongly flavored; the soup can be quite bland because many are very week broth flavored soup.  So the spice all goes to the main dishes and let me just tell you, they don't go easy on it.  It's because the spice only goes in one dish that it must be extra flavorful because all the other dishes missed out...

6.     Tablecloth Plastic Covers

When I was little, my family had a plastic tablecloth that we use to eat dinner on.  My mom would commonly put it on before putting a cloth one over it.  The plastic one was a bit wrinkly, but it had a pattern and a bit of a softer feel to it.  The tablecloths that I found today were clear and rolled up like huge pieces of butcher paper.  It was clear that the tablecloths of my childhood were made to feel unnoticeable.  But in China, they don’t feel thread thin like plastic wrap.  They are very thick more like the thickness of a folded up paperbag.  It is common to find them in restaurants over cloth tablecloths; it allows for a fast clean up.

7.     Traveling Silverware

One thing that is very distinct about Chinese is that they dislike eating with their hands.  If a Chinese person bought French fries, they would use a toothpick to eat them, or if eating a piece of pizza they would use a fork and knife.  If they have to eat something with their hands, there is sure to be a plastic or paper barrier between the food and their hands.  This is a huge part of their lifestyle, so it makes sense that they would have travel-sized silverware.  Conveniently there is a fork spoon, and expandable chopsticks that all fit into a reading glasses size case.  It’s a very easy way to carry silverware around and avoid eating with ones hands.  Also in some food establishments, it will cost you money to obtain utensils.  Thus, travel sized utensils were born.

8.     Wooden ladals, spatulas, and rice scoopers

One thing that I have noticed about the United States, is that people now in days usually have plastic or metal cooking and eating utensils.  I’ve sometimes seen wooden spoons for stews or soups.  However in modern times, it seems like most people have abandoned wood and it doesn’t seem that you can even buy wholly wood utensils in stores.  However, not only was the store fully stocked with wood rice scoopers, but also wooden ladles for soup, and wooden spatulas for cooking stir-fry.

9.     High Grade Tupperware

I really want to own all the Tupperware in China because it’s really organized.  Many containers have two sections in them because the Chinese like to keep their rice and other foods separate before they eat.  I also like eating that way.  Also, when I’m in the States packing a lunch, I’d rather take one big container than two small ones if I want say, apples and crackers one day.  The stacked Tupperware is usually metal lined or pure metal; really useful for soup and keeping things insulated.  The Chinese believe in eating things that are fresh, so naturally keeping things warm would be a priority.

10. Pregnant Women Salt

I was fairly perplexed when I saw this.  For some reason, the Chinese think that women who are pregnant are like glass; one drop and they could shatter.  After Chinese women have children, the woman is supposed to rest for a number of months before she resumes her household duties.  She is not to go outside or get out of bed.  This is to prevent her from getting sick.  I assume that this salt is the same way.  They believe that the salt pregnant women need to eat is different than salt for everyone else.  Although I don’t believe that’s true, that kind of segregation shouldn’t be going on; let’s be real for a moment, pregnant women or recently postpartum women can have whatever kind of salt they want.

空-It's a Panda, Can You See It?

Growing up, an exciting and expected summer activity is going to the zoo with family and/or friends.  Ever since I could remember, the trips to the Zoo were always fun.  I enjoyed looking at the animals, and never did it once cross my mind that they were unhappy.  This week, I had the opportunity to go to the Beijing Zoo.  Although the exhibits were not astounding, there was at least vegetation and, for most animals, space to move around.  However, one of the things that I found the saddest was the way the people were acting with the animals.  For example, when we were visiting the bear exhibits; I witnessed several older teenagers, or young adults pouring ice tea and throwing popcorn into the pen.  This continued with many other animals such as antelope and zebras who probably shouldn’t be eating processed crackers and pocky, just a guess.  Many were trying to entice the animals to do something, but the animals just ignored them, like it was a regular occurrence.  As a result of this, I personally feel that some of the animals were out in open rebellion against huamans.  This was evident owing to the fact that they all had their back side to us; and it wasn't just one, it was clear organized rebellion.

  

Does it not look like its stuffed?

The best things about going to the Beijing zoo is that I got to see a PANDA! They’re so cute, and it was real! I have pictures to prove it.  Anyway, here’s a funny story.  When I was taking pictures, one of the pandas was lying on this wooden playground structure type thing, and it was in a really cute position, let me just tell you.  So I quickly told Joseph to take a picture of me with it.  After handing my camera back, he proceeded to point out that the panda was not moving and looked like it was stuffed.  It was really still; at first I resisted, but then after some persuasion, he convinced me.  Pandas have an uncanny ability to look like they’re stuffed when they’re still alive… and I’m a little gullible, so I just went along with it.  We had a pretty good laugh, and my friend said, “maybe there’s a guy who’s in the panda suit and pretending!” And we laughed still harder… and then it moved! So I knew it was real, and then I found out that he was just kidding anyway… Awk…  I have heard other people talk about zoos in China; so it was not the worst zoo, but I still felt that most of the exhibits were very sad.  I don’t think I’ll be going back.  The only thing that made it worth while was the panda.

Also it was rather amusing to see Christmas sculptures at the Zoo.  Like the ones you can buy at Macy's for like $30.00.  They were over by the polar bear section.  They were in this glass case and all beautified.  There were Christmas lights and an igloo.  Apparently the Chinese are under the impression that polar bears (and wolves) and Christmas go together... Well, whatever makes them happy...

Tests and Temples and Trees, Oh My!

Today I went to the Confucian Temple here in Beijing.  It’s the second biggest temple dedicated to Confucius in China.  The other one is located in his hometown of Qufu in the ShanDong province.  I really enjoyed going to the Confucius temple, as I apparently do with all temples...

One of the featured displays at the Confucius temple were tons of these 8 foot high stone blocks.  But these aren't just your average stone blocks that date back to the Sui dynasty.  Engraved upon these relics were the names of all the people who had obtained adequate scores on "the exam".  And not just any exam, the Imperial Exam.  This examination set the standard for all people (which was perfection), and anyone who was anyone would be able to pass.  This exam was used to determine those had government positions and any other good jobs, and those who perished in the village farming.  People would study for days on end to prepare for this test; guess we know where the Chinese get their study habits from.  While the test was in session, the tester would be locked in a tiny room with the bare essentials; food, water, bedding, a chamber pot, and of course, ink, and a brush.  The exam period lasted for three entire days in which the tester would attempt to write an "eight-legged essay," or an essay with eight sections.  The examination was brutal, so obviously cheaters were abundant; one guy even wrote notes of his underwear.  So the next time I think about complaining about a test I really should just be grateful it doesn’t last three days, and most importantly force me to forsake my comfy bed.  Imperial Exams, man, they were intense; I'm glad I didn’t have to deal with them.  But mostly I wouldn't have to deal with them because I wasn't in China growing up, also I'm a girl and girls just didn't do those things back then.  So even though to us they are just some stone slabs, to the people who studied hard enough they were a representation of all the back-breaking work, and lost hours of childhood spent indoors.

Now for some serious thoughts.  Something interesting about Confucianism is that it is not centered on a God.  Confucianism started off first and foremost as a philosophy.  It is very centered on life on this earth.  Confucius himself talked little of heaven or deities; he mostly focused on creating the chun tzu, or Confucian gentleman.  He believed that good people would create good governments and in turn bring happiness to others.  However, it’s interesting to note that at these Confucian temples he is treated like a God.  From the philosophy, a religion, has sprung forward and is now considered a cult; with Confucius as the center.  People bow, leave offerings, pray, and burn incense to his statues.  Quite ironic if you ask me.  Confucian was so focused on this world and bettering it, and now, even in death people call upon him for assistance.  Although I don’t understand this thought process, it is easy to see why he was deified.  His impact on the Chinese culture is unmistakable.  For example, the imperial exams influenced education, and the concept of a group has influenced the government.  Although I don’t feel like worshiping Confucius, I still think he had some good things to say.

The other thing that I liked in this temple was a tree. But this is no ordinary tree.  It may appear to be one tree, but it’s really two!  Legend has it that a Cyprus tree was planted but the trunk became hollow and filled with refuse.  Latter a bird dropped a mulberry seed into thetree trunk and a mulberry tree grew out of it.  It’s like inception, but real; and the correct term would actually be treeception…