Conquering Beijing

Today I have conquered Beijing! I have ridden the subway without a guide, transferred lines, and walked quite a few blocks to find a museum. That may not sound like much, but to me, it's a huge deal. Coming from a small city where the public transit system was a couple dozen busses, the subway system is intricate and wonderful and a little bit terrifying all at the same time. So the fact that I was cool, calm, and collected while zooming around at alarming speeds in relatively small underground tunnels while being shoved into someone's armpit during rush hour in of the city 19 million, is pretty much on par with the moon landing. A miracle of the modern age. 
In reality, the Beijing subway system is wonderful, easy to use, has English translation, and is basically the best. I can go virtually anywhere I want in this city that I have been in for four days without getting lost (mostly). It's amazing; I love it (obviously). Plus, when I swipe my little public transit card to get through the gate, I feel like the most metropolitan person on the planet. It is splendid! 

But, I didn't write this post as free advertisement for the Beijing subway, I've actually done other things. Like sleep, and go to class, and eat, and be ill. 

Yes, I have been here all of four days, and I'll have you know I've only had one illness. My lovely cold has been my constant companion. What caused it? Who knows!! Jet lag, pollution, brushing my teeth with tap water, any of the nine thousand people that I've walked by on the street. Take your pick. But friends, a bit of friendly advice- if you feel an illness coming on, DO NOT decide to power through and climb the Great Wall of China. You will be miserable. You will get a fever. And you will go back to your hotel and sleep (very fitfully and uncomfortably) for 16 hours. And then and only then will you drag yourself down to the office to get some medicine. It is not a good idea, learn from my mistakes. Luckily, I'm on the upswing! I just cough a bunch and blow my nose now- my roommate LOVES it!!! 

Overall, Beijing has been lovely. It's great to finally be here in China. It's still transitory because I'm moving again on Monday, but to actually get this underway has been a huge burden off my shoulders. I really can't wait to get to Chongqing and get settled into my real everyday life, but for now, Beijing with her subway system, great food, and fabulous people suits me just fine.

No getting lost in this place- for sure not with the giant tourist map I have!