Blog #2: Magnificent

“Magnificent”. I smiled when I first heard my supervisor at the office repeating that word two or three times to describe the places I told her I was about to visit. I thought in the very bad Westernized habit that we are all guilty of having that her choice of term was a question of vocabulary. Well, I was wrong: to describe the Great Wall, the Beijing Acrobatics Show and the Summer Palace, we could not find a more accurate term than magnificent.

During our second weekend in Beijing, we were offered the opportunity to climb the Great Wall and to camp by it for a night. I had never camped in my whole life so, to me, this trip was the opportunity to brag about the fact that my first camping experience was on the Great Wall of China! Unique, right? Well, much more than expected! On Saturday morning, after an intense Friday night spent at KTV, singing our hearts out to “Roar”, “Livin’ On A Prayer” or “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”, we woke up excited to visit the longest man-made structure in the world and one of the most extraordinary legacies of mankind, the only one visible to the naked eye from space (or so they say).

On Saturday, we were not disappointed. Were we tired? Yes. But did we feel privileged to be here? More than ever! It seemed to me that I was living a fairy-tale that afternoon. On top of the Wall, we even saw a rainbow! I could never have imagined myself being there.

Then, we came back to the station to prepare our tents for the night and eat before the sunset. This is when things started to go wrong.

As we were eating with our tour guide, the very sweet Noodles, rain started to pour over our heads. As we saw some flashes of lightning, we immediately knew the night would be long! At 7:45pm, we slid under our tents to sleep and avoid the torrent. As time went by, even as the rain finally ceased, it got colder and colder and the wind started to blow… and lasted all night long! “I hope it’s worth it,” I told myself. We therefore spent our night freezing and unable to close our eyes, eager to finally capture that remarkable sunrise at 5:30am. Hopeful, at 5:30am, curled in my sleeping bag, I finally glimpsed some sparks of luminosity. Keen, I went to wake Noodles up because there was no way that we would miss that! Unfortunately, the saddened Noodles said: “Guys, it’s too cloudy, there is no sunrise this morning.” We had gone through this cold, rainy night for nothing!

I could not feel my hands. I could not feel my feet. All of my body was stiff. There was water under our tents because of the rain and, misfortunate as we were, Noodles told us with surprise that he had never (really, NEVER!) experienced such a windy night since he started doing this tour years ago! Oh, what a night! But you know what? I do not regret a second of that weekend. First, without a doubt, it made my first camping experience unforgettable! However, more than anything, this incident led me to go beyond my own limits. Isn’t it the purpose of crossing half the globe searching for the unknown?

***

Even though I had performed my own stunt on the Wall during the weekend, I was still very impressed by the Beijing Acrobatics Show last Thursday night! Although usually during these shows, I tend to be really afraid for the adventurous artists, they were fantastic! Even if it is a highly touristic activity, I do not think that anyone can go to Beijing for an extended period of time without seeing this classic of the Chaoyang Theatre, since the history of acrobatic shows in China has existed for more than two thousand years. Heights, speed, strength and agility, everything was there! I am very grateful for that fascinating evening. Thanks CRCC Asia!

And then, finally, came the Summer Palace. In order to get to know each other more, my supervisor at the office, Rosa, planned a day with all the young women of our department to visit this masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This place is absolutely majestic! No wonder it served as a summer resort for the emperors and empresses. Talking about pushing myself to my own limits, I even rode a boat on Kunmin Lake! None of us knew how to swim, so we could feel the tension on board! But I have learnt through time that fear is a choice. I chose to take that risk.

Beijing, you are gigantic. Beijing, you are astonishing. And, Beijing, it seems that you make me learn more about myself daily through your historical and cultural attractions.

That is your true magnificence.

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Incontro con la lingua

Una delle soddisfazioni più grandi qui in Cina è riuscire ad avere una conversazione basilare per strada con una persona del posto..in cinese ovviamente! Riuscire ad ordinare un caffè al bar, prendere un taxi, comprare una maglietta al mercato, piccole situazioni attraverso le quali misurare i propri progressi nella conoscenza della lingua e della cultura cinese.

La prima cosa che serve è il coraggio di buttarsi!
Una delle cose più difficili della lingua cinese sono gli accenti. La loro lingua, infatti, si compone di poche sillabe, ma in base al tono con il quale si pronunciano, quelle stesse sillabe possono assumere significati diversi, spesso totalmente opposti. Potete immaginare le figuracce che mi sono fatta….
Ad ogni modo, prima di indovinare l’accento giusto per il significato che cerchiamo, bisognerà arrendersi a vari tentativi, senza lasciarsi scoraggiare dalla faccia stranita del nostro interlocutore cinese.
Al quinto o sesto tentativo, dopo aver provato varie combinazioni di toni e sillabe, normalmente l’altra parte riesce almeno a cogliere l’oggetto del discorso. Prima grande soddisfazione.
La cosa veramente bella di quando ci si lancia in una di queste conversazioni, però, è capire che la comunicazione non è fatta solo di parole.
E’ quando si iniziano a capire i gesti, gli sguardi e le espressioni dell’interlocutore che il dialogo è davvero iniziato. Ed è così che piano piano si trova la chiave per decifrare una cultura totalmente diversa dalla nostra.

Il mio percorso a Pechino con CCRC Asia prevede un mese di lezioni di cinese e un mese di stage presso uno studio legale.
Questo primo mese di studio intensivo della lingua lo consiglio davvero a tutti. Non si tratta solo di aggiungere qualche parola al proprio vocabolario di cinese, ma di imparare a scoprire tutto quello che c’è dietro ad una parola, conoscere meglio le abitudini dei nostri ospiti, le loro usanze e tutta una serie di informazioni che possono solamente arricchire il nostro bagaglio, non solo personale, ma anche professionale. Un aspetto da non sottovalutare per tutti quelli che vorranno incontrare la Cina nella propria vita lavorativa.

In questa prima fase della mia esperienza, ogni mattina vado alla Mandarin House, dalle 9 alle 12:30, imparo qualche nuova parola o espressione cinese e il pomeriggio mi dedico ad esplorare la città e a praticare le nozioni apprese in classe nella vita reale. E questo è il mio momento preferito, quello più istruttivo forse, perché per strada, da sola, sono costretta ad aprirmi con gli altri e a farmi capire, cercando di usare tutte le abilità e i trucchi possibili.
E ancora più bello è tornare a casa la sera e cenare con gli altri ragazzi, tutti insieme, lanciarsi con loro in esperimenti culinari o semplicemente scambiare quattro chiacchiere davanti a una birra cinese, proprio come amici che si conoscono da una vita.

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The Beijiners

Sono passate solo due settimane dall’arrivo a Pechino e già non mi basterebbero 50 pagine per descrivere tutte le impressioni, i momenti e le sensazioni vissute.

All’inizio, sulla strada dall’aeroporto al nostro appartamento, guardavo incuriosita fuori dal finestrino per cogliere i primi particolari della mia “nuova casa”, ma tutto mi sembrava grigio e freddo. Tutto, tranne l’accoglienza di Gogo, una delle Project Manager di CRCC Asia qua a Pechino, davvero gentilissima.

Quando si dice che le prime impressioni ingannano però è vero… non avevo capito proprio niente!

Sono bastati un paio di giorni, infatti, per far sbocciare l’amore.

L’amore per la città e per i suoi mille volti, affascinanti e contradittori, che ti fanno venire una voglia matta di esplorarli tutti nel profondo.

L’amore per il China Internship Program di CRCC Asia, che riunisce ragazzi di nazionalità diverse e lontanissime fra loro, per fargli condividere un’esperienza che finora è stata davvero stimolante. Non ho mai sentito la mancanza di casa da quando sono arrivata!

L’amore per la lingua e la cultura cinese, anche se all’inizio leggere i cartelli delle fermate del pullman non è certo la cosa più semplice, ma con un po’ di pratica, ci si abitua a tutto, anche agli ideogrammi. E soprattutto ci si diverte, si ride, quando al supermercato non si riesce a scegliere quale detersivo bisogna comprare per la lavatrice o qual sia la busta del sale e quale dello zucchero.

Da quando sono arrivata non ho avuto neanche un momento per fermarmi, ci sono così tante cose da fare e da scoprire!

Ogni mattina vado a lezione di cinese e mi diverto a imparare piccole frasi ed espressioni da riutilizzare subito per strada. Che soddisfazione quando si riesce ad ordinare anche solo un caffè in cinese!

I pomeriggi per ora li dedico ad esplorare la città, a conoscere gente, a girare per mercati… le cose da vedere non finiscono davvero mai.

Quando poi torno a casa non sono mai da sola: con gli altri partecipanti al programma, i “beijiners”, siamo riusciti sin dall’inizio a formare un gruppo bellissimo, eterogeneo ma unito, e non c’è una sera che non si organizzi una cena insieme o si trovi qualcosa di nuovo da fare.

Lo scorso fine settimana, poi, CRCC Asia ci ha organizzato una visita alla Grande Muraglia e abbiamo avuto la possibilità di restare a dormire lì con le tende. Un’esperienza meravigliosa, che merita sicuramente di essere vissuta e non solamente letta in un blog.

Due settimane sono già volate e già vorrei ricominciarle da capo!

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Week #1 in Beijing!

Nihao, Beijing!

Montreal, April 1st, 2015, 6h40am. This moment marks the last time I saw my family before venturing into the airport for a flight that would last fourteen hours and a half and some sort of time traveling, since I would find myself on the other side of the planet with twelve hours ahead of my relatives for the next two months. Feeling feverish from excitement, when I finally landed in Beijing on April 2nd, I knew immediately that it was worth it. I couldn’t wait to dive into the exciting unknown!

The first thing that strikes you upon arrival is how you definitely need more than “Nihao” and “Xie Xie” in Mandarin to get around in Beijing. In Western countries, we can easily find people with a minimal comprehension of the language of Shakespeare, and, if not, it is quite possible to jabber some Italian or Portuguese thanks to our basic knowledge of Latin idioms. However, in Beijing, understanding each other is a massive challenge! Fortunately, with CRCC Asia, some Mandarin classes are included. It definitely helps to gain confidence and ease into the local culture. In only a week, I’ve improved my Mandarin so much (although I could only get better!)!

The second element that subjugates you is how time seems to be suspended when you are abroad. I have gone through so much in a few days that it doesn’t feel like it has only been a week! For instance, I will be sharing my experience for the next two months with five other students or young graduates from around the world. In just a few hours, we became friends! We bond very easily with like-minded people who share a similar experience to ours. The six of us share the same accommodation, experience the same cultural clash for the first time, and will go through the same struggles during this journey. For sure, it forges relationships! From all of the already accumulated anecdotes of the past few days, I can tell that this close group will be a major part of my experience here in Beijing.

Thirdly, throughout the last few days, I have learnt the difference between being immerged on another continent… and being thrown right into the experience! Even though it is refreshing to be destabilized from one’s usual environment, it is still a good feeling to be able to lean on someone who knows the place for any enquiries regarding the attractions, public transportation, fake money or fake alcohol, and cultural differences to pay attention to. With an amusing quiz testing our knowledge on China’s demographic and economic portraits, Sheree and Gogo, our two Program Managers, introduced us to this big city’s survival tips. How do we use our transportation cards? How do we read directions on bus stops since they are only in Chinese characters? How do we give business cards (yes, it matters a lot!)? All of this new information was made accessible thanks to these two friendly women who made us feel comfortable when we asked questions – even the most ridiculous ones – from day one.

And finally, the city. Ohhh this city! We live in District 798, where we can find several art pieces from Chinese artists. This area has such a modern energy! It is not hard to understand why there are so many youth wandering around to meet their friends or to grab pizza at the Laker’s Café, where there is always some melodic South American music playing. And on our second day here, we visited the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, a colossal untouched monument at the heart of Beijing that makes you go centuries back in time! Catch a cab and, hop, you are in Sanlitun, the district that could be in any other international city with its infinite futurist towers, its trendy bars full of expatriates and its numerous Starbucks’ (let’s admit it, we were craving it!). Another taxi ride will take you to some hutongs and you will be able to witness a glimpse of life in the capital city as it has been for generations! In a few days, we were in a hurry to make the most out of our first weekend here. Well, Beijing has not disappointed us so far!

Three millennia, twenty million people, and fifteen subway lines coexist everyday in the great Beijing. I am now part of that vibrant dynamism. And this is just the beginning.

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An International Option For Interning

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Most people start an internship later in their college years, after they've figured out what they want to do. I had a clear idea of the kind of internship I wanted initially, but my plans changed when I learned about international internships that were available for me. I liked the idea of being in another country while still getting the experience needed for my future career, so I took my chances and applied for one.

Come Visit Our Homepage.
I was worried that I wouldn't get the internship, but I didn't let it get me too down, because I applied for other ones as well. There was a chance that I would get accepted by at least one internship, so I would have something to fall back on. Still, the international internship was the most appealing. Waiting for the results of my application was nerve wracking.

I received a letter in the mail about the international internship I applied to, and was afraid to open it, so I had my brother open it for me. When my brother told me that I had been accepted, I jumped for joy. He was a little jealous that I would be spending a year in another country, but still happy for me.

Week 2: Work and Play

This week was our first week undertaking our internship. With any job it is there’s a mixture of excitement, tentativeness and after all the sightseeing a great deal of trend in now having to spend time working again.

My first impression upon arriving at Schmitt and Orlov an intellectual property law firm which will be interning for is that it was a quiet office. Everyone was nice but really shy at first to approach me and speak and visa versa.

Once I logged on to the offices Skype community a whole different environment takes place. An influx of personal welcome messages and general inquiries of where I’m from bombarded my screen. It was really cool.

This week’s highlights

1. Great Wall

We were lucky enough to see and walk the Great Wall in decent weather conditions. The older interns went in winter and recounted how the stairs were covered in ice. So if you are coming over during winter make sure you check the weather conditions before hand. You really don’t want to try to walking on icy steps.

2. Summer Palace

The Summer Palace was definitely a highlight of all the sightseeing we have done so far. There is so much to see and do. The design of the palace includes a huge lake and temples, bridges and pavilions with hilltop views.

There are also strips of shops and places to eat along the river when you first enter, rocks you can climb and carefully take selfies. What was really cool was hiring out a boat going around the lake.

3. Hanging in Sanlitun

Popular nightlife area.

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Week 1: Arriving in Beijing

When I arrived at the airport I was greeted by one of the program managers Gogo. I felt horrible that the other intern who arrived the same day waited three hours for me. The drive from the airport was silent a mixture of taking in the surroundings, tiredness, and just plain old curiosity of what lay ahead of us.

Our informal dinner was quaint given that there were only four new interns this March. The other three new interns are awesome. From our first meeting to our informal dinner and late hangout, we shared our travelling experiences, talked about our home country. Conversation was certainly not lacking. I am looking forward to the next couple of days of CRCC program events and free time to do some sightseeing.

My first week in Beijing in the CRCC Asia program has been the best kind of whirlwind. The program events were definitely a good way to start exploring and learning about Beijing. After the welcome events, given that it was all our first time in Beijing, we decided to pack our weekend to the brim with sightseeing.

This week’s highlights

1. Transportation

It can be intimidating at first, it did help that CRCC program managers took us to the right stops and explained the subway about how to get to work and back.

After that, making our way around is seems pretty easy. The subway set up is structured so efficiently, that even if you do get lost its easy to find your way back.

2. Forbidden City

It would have been wise to do a bit more research about the Forbidden City to gain a better understand of just how vast it is. We arrived at 11am under the impression that we could do it under two hours. We did not leave until 4pm. There is so much to see and different directions to take to reach the end of the Forbidden City. It is magnificent.

If you’re travelling with a group (which you would be) it’s probably a good idea to exchange numbers, set up a group WeChat and ensure you actually have a working phone number. Two members of our group got lost and decided to wait outside the Forbidden City exit while the other half continued to search for them inside. It all worked out in the end though!

3. Getting lost is inevitable

Keeping up the trend for our group, we got lost again. Even with smart phones and access to Baidu and Google maps we still managed to spend a good chuck of our first night wondering from our apartment in search for the expat area, which we thought was walking distance. Three hours was spent walking along eerily silent business streets. It was however a good way to get to know each other and also good story came out of it that is still really funny.

4. Catching a taxi

Another valuable lesson learnt on our first night out includes learning just how hard it is to catch a taxi from 8pm and beyond. Every official taxi was either full or more importantly did not want to drive to our area. Be prepared to either leave before the last subway or haggle with black cab drivers.

5. Street Food

It goes without saying that trying what’s on offer by way of food carts lined up on the streets is something that you must do. Try not to fall to prey to eating scorpions; it is well known that they have it on offer specifically for tourists. It is not a Chinese delicacy. Regardless, two of us decided to try a scorpion.

We also had strawberries on a stick, but be warned the white stuff drizzled on the strawberries is not white chocolate but mayo. Some might like it but I didn’t really.

6. Shopping at the Markets

The Silk Market is a popular among tourists. We were excited about getting to do some bargaining. I was so excited I ended up buying things I didn’t even want or need, but it was so much fun.

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Week 3: One month is too short

I can’t stress enough to potential interns that one month is too short. You’ll find that many people undertake the two months internship for a reason. One month you really treat see your time here as tourist even though you’re here for an internship. Keep in mind that you will be working full time and therefore will only really have 3 weekends to explore Beijing. Whereas two to three months it feels like you’re actually living and working in Beijing.

Moreover, it is the third week in and I finally got a handle on the job, office environment and the importance of online communication applications like Skype and WeChat in the workplace. Being here for only a month means I do get to fully explore my capabilities in my role and with the company as unfortunately I am nearing the end of my internship.

This week’s highlights

1. Hotpot is hot!

If you’re like me and you can only handle a little spice, then make sure you order the non-spicy hotpot. I made the mistake a blindly following a fellow intern in ordering the hot one and while he did try to emphasis to only make it a little hot their version of a little spicy is still mega mouth numbing spicy. Though from what I could taste when my mouth returned to normal it was quite delicious.

2. Tiananmen square – not so interesting but the hutongs are

Last week when we explored the Forbidden City we were too tired to walk about Tiananmen Square. I really didn’t find the square too interesting, but a further walk down, you arrive at the hutong area, which is pretty spectacular for a walk about, souvenir shopping and some yummy food.

3. KTV – till 4am – a must do

KTV is really popular here. A lot of my co-workers spend their nights hanging out with friends doing KTV. It is truly one of the major pass time activities. If you have enough people (i.e. 4 or more) it would be worth going a long and letting loose. Our group of four stayed up singing until around 4am, which is pretty epic considering that we didn’t ever stop singing.

4. Lama temple – be respectful but don’t neglect to participate

Continuing our weekend sightseeing expeditions we decided to head to the Lama temple a Tibetan Buddhist temple. It was less exciting than some of the other places we have previously visited but has some unique things about it. The courtyards are beautiful as well as the halls. In many of the courtyards you can participate in lighting incense sticks.

There are also some narrow lanes/hutongs around the Lama Temple area which are worth walking down. Unique craft indie hippie stores are abundant as well as cafes, steak houses and a nice tex mex restaurant.

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Week 4: My time in Beijing

I only have a few days left in the internship and in Beijing and right now I’m feeling nostalgic for the beginning days of my time in Beijing. I truly hate that it is coming to an end so fast. Again, it is best to sign up for a longer internship you will not only get more out of your internship work experience wise and get more of feel of what it is actually like to live in Beijing.

In undertaking the internship through CRCC I would definitely recommend to try and participate in most if not all the events they set up. Dumpling making, the community service outreach event and mandarin classes are the main is what I recommend you at least sign up for.

This weeks highlights

Olympic Park

We decided to change up some of our sightseeing adventures opting for something less old historical. One of groups members is a huge Olympics fan so it was a joy and also really really funny to watch her fan girl over the park area.

The park is quite spectacular however it is recommended that you get there late in the afternoon or at night when everything lights up. The atmosphere just around the buildings is buzzing. Quite a few things happen around there. You can see what seems like roller-skating battles in which people do some awesome roller-skating tricks to music.

Roller skating at Olympic Park

Wall of medal winners at Olympic games 2008

Tex mex

I feel pretty bad that one of the last few meals I had in Beijing was Tex Mex, but I really enjoyed it. Just in the main narrow lanes across the lama temple is a Tex Mex restaurant. If you’re craving something different this might be worth a try.

During my time in Beijing I have met some wonderful people. The interns I got to spend time with made the process of working and living in another country easier. For one it was nice to share the same doubt in your abilities to do an internship, but also since I can’t cook it was great having two people around who could. The importance of social media, specifically WeChat will ensure that our friendships will continue as strong as they are now. I am truly grateful to have met some wonderfully odd people.

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