The last few days have seen the worst pollution in years to hit Beijing. A friend thinks it is from all the coal-burning heaters and furnaces that got switched on the 15th. I have to admit there was a “coalish” scent to the air, if there is such a thing. The air quality monitors at [...]
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While I’m delighted we now have a fully heated apartment, I’m not so happy with the traditional first-heat cold I have acquired. Beijing’s winter air is extremmmmely dry. Add a heater to the mix and it’s dehydration city. (As in if I don’t get some heavy-duty facial moisturizer soon, I’ll be a dead ringer for [...]
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It’s seriously cold here in Harbin. Seriously cold! I think both the DH and I have second guessed our decision to come here over Spring Festival. Since the festival is a family holiday, restaurants and shops have all pretty much been shut. We’re hoping things will be open tomorrow. There are very few people in [...]
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Wordless Wednesday #32 Open window in my workplace Never mind it is 2C (35F) today. Keeping the windows open inside a building during the winter months is a common practice in China. Fresh air is important! It’s one of my biggest winter pet peeves.
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China Reflections Now that winter has more or less arrived, I am starting to remember all the little pet peeves I have with respect to winters in Linyi. I share these with you as an insight into the cultural differences between semi-rural Chinese and a somewhat-spoiled girl from the US. 1. The Need for “Fresh [...]
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I’m at work. It was 4℃ this morning in my office. I’m cold. My hands are dry. My feet are numb. At least there is coffee. You may be aware that I am a big fan of Pico Iyer, the travel writer. I enjoyed this article in the LA Times where Iyer muses on the [...]
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Today was so cold!! On my way to work this morning at 8AM, (an early morning, usually I go in at 9:30), it was – 3° Celsius. (That is cold in Fahrenheit.) The heat has not yet been turned on at the school, but thankfully, the hotel decided to turn their heat on yesterday. I [...]
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I'm an American expat living on the fringe of Chinese society. Thanks to a lifetime spent moving around, I often feel like an outsider. This blog explores life in Beijing, China, the occasional aviation topic, expat issues, random travel experiences and interesting things I see, read and hear. If you want to know more about my latest hobby, visit Sewing on the Fringe, where I blog about learning to sew in Beijing. And for daily documentation of Beijing's ever changing air quality, visit My Beijing Window. And, yes, I do wear my santa hat year-round. ;)
