The Final Countdown.

So... I will be leaving China next month. I know I have yet to write about my trip to Europe, Nanjing, Hangzhou, or Shanghai Disney, but rest assured those posts will come in time. For now, I want to take a moment--while I'm flip-flopping through emotions like a poorly tossed flapjack--to list some of the things I will miss most about China.

1. The expat crowd. What a magical community. People from all over the world hanging out. A cacophony of languages, a menagerie of accents, and the ever-present challenge to grade your language to the lowest common denominator in any given conversation group. You may go out solo to a cafe or a bar with your laptop or a book for company, thinking you will enjoy some quiet reading or be productive with whatever task you believe yourself to have, but will inevitably end up making new friends from Algeria, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, or some other random country you may or may not know exists. I will also miss being able to use British colloquialisms and be understood.

2. Drinks to go. Didn't quite finish that beer or mixed drink before your party is ready to leave the restaurant? No worries! If it isn't already prepackaged in a bottle, ask the fuwuyen for a to-go cup. There are no laws about drinking in public. Which is why streets like Yongkanglu set up tables in the middle of the sidewalks and people congregate in the middle of their street while throwing back a happy-hour Carlsberg.

3. Crossing the street like a BAMF. Think frogger, but add hell-bent cyclists and scooters. If I tried this in the states, people would honk and yell at me, and likely think me suicidal. Here, it's just the simple act of getting across the street sometime this month. 

4. Euro-greetings. The whole double-peck-on-the-cheek-thing? It's totally classy and I'm gonna miss the hell out of it. It will be dreadfully embarrassing when I forget this isn't normal, and foolishly try to do this back home...

5. Affordable tailored clothing. Let's face it: in the states the majority of us are priced out of utilizing tailors with the exception of like... Our wedding. And even then most people rent. Here, I can stroll up to the fabric market at Nanpu Bridge, choose fabric, buttons, styles, detailing, get measured, get a fitting a week later and  come out with a cashmere/wool custom made blazer for less than $50.

6. Having an excuse to not leave the apartment. Leaving the sanctuary of the apartment means having to work overtime on the simplest of acts and it can be exhausting. Struggling through bits of mandarin to speak with shop owners, not overreacting to people talking about me or sneaking my picture, not running into people as they mindlessly stop or step in your way even though they clearly see you coming. Avoiding high-speed phlegm-filled mucous bullets that are projected with zero regard to your proximity. Taking the stairs because even when you're huffing and puffing at the end of that long-haul, you'll still make it to the top before the people on the packed escalator. Learning not to inhale along various bits of sidewalk. And of course, learning to inhale less on cramped metro cars. It's exhausting. And some days it's just better to stay inside, under the blankets, coloring, drinking tea, and watching movies. 

7. Awesome shopping. Whether you brave the touristy and unique alleyways of Tianzifang or the swanky-ass malls... it's pretty great. Plus, you'll give that haggling muscle a workout. And, I gotta say, the malls here... whole other level of lux... Like damn. You walk in and start wondering what time the Queen's supposed to arrive, and if you should remove your shoes.

8. Never feeling threatened. This is a big one. I can walk home by myself in dark, "sketchy" neighborhoods at 3am, with both headphones in and blaring, and not fear for my safety. No keys-in-the-knuckles or pepper spray needed. I definitely cannot say the same for America, or any other place I've been.

9. The public transit system (metro, buses and taxis). As annoying as the metro and buses can be, it really is a great system they've got here. It's super affordable, convenient, and easy to use (and the bus system is getting easier for expats as they are slowly updating all signs to include English timetables). Taxi's are completely affordable and relatively reliable as long as your educate yourself on your main streets and a bit of directional vocabulary.

10. The looks I get from babies and toddlers as they try to comprehend what yellow-haired alien being they're looking at. Hilarious, and priceless. 

11. Bullet train and generally cheap travel. Traveling within China is insanely affordable. Bullet train tickets are cheap, exceptional hotel rooms can be had for less than $100 a night, and flights are competitive with the train ticket prices (depending on distance, of course). Sure, the crowds can be maddening, but to some degree, and with some preparation, they can be avoided or at least kept to a minimum.

Indian Buffet at Rangoli in Tianzifang.

12. The food. So many options I often find myself stuck in plethora-purgatory. People come here from all over the world and bring their cooking skills and family recipes with them. So that Indian food? Made by a guy singing in Punjabi in the kitchen. That Korean BBQ? Totes legit. Those french sweet and savory crepes? Fantastique! You can find just about anything here, and in any combination. It's food fusion central! To make things even more appetizing; if wandering out into the world is too much to handle, there exist online food delivery services that will bring you food from a giant list of local eateries, grocers, and even alcohol right to your door.

Churros a la mode!

Well, that's the list as of now. Maybe I will come up with more... Maybe I won't... I really don't know...