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I'm not exactly sure what to write here without repeating what the other "bloggers" have already written. Here in China, we are not allowed to have access to this blog so I am unable to read previous posts. Stick with me-- I hope I'm not repeating too much that has already been covered!
Things here in China have proven to be much different than expected, but in a very good way. I was expecting that things would be much harder to adjust to, but it hasn't been too bad!
I am learning so much being here. It is so interesting to observe the culture and traditions of a place that is so much different than anywhere I have ever visited. Observations are being made that debunk the misconceptions that Americans have concerning the rising power of China in economics and strength. All of that is a bit complex to explain through e-mail, but if you're interested, I'd love to talk about it in person when I get back.
My observations of the culture are really thought provoking- at least for me. The influence of the communist government and the censorship of information that the Chinese population consumes. Here, the best way to sum up the collective mentality is the phrase "ignorance is bliss." It seems like people are afraid to ask questions, afraid to wonder why things are the way they are. It "is" just because it "is."
We're attending school at Renmin University in Beijing. It is one of China's leading universities and educates some of China's best and brightest students. They are consider the "elite" and it is almost guaranteed that when they leave university, they will get very good, high-level jobs. It is great to be able to interact with Chinese students and get their perspective on issues.
The students try to do anything they can to make us happy and it sometimes makes me feel bad. I don't like when they try to go out of their way to make things easier for us when we are totally capable of doing it on our own. I know they have lives of their own and I feel like we're taking way too much of their time! They seem to like it though so maybe their getting some enjoyment out of it.
The weather here has been really nice- around 70' with clear skies. However, we've been told that this week it is supposed to get hot and muggy. The first day we were here, it was so hazy and polluted that you could hardly see the tops of buildings. It develops like a thick fog and its so thick that you could probably cut it with a knife.
While there are TONS of places to visit in Beijing, one of the most popular places that our class has been visiting is the Pearl Market. This is a place that is very famous in Beijing and is usually a stop by most visiting foreign dignitaries and tourists. There are pictures of many notable people in the stores, including Bill Clinton, Margaret Thatcher, George H.W. Bush, and even Michael Phelps.
Obviously, as the name states, this is a place that you can buy pearls, but the vendors in this location have a lot more to offer! Offering goods ranging anywhere from electronics to rugs, pearls to sunglasses, the Pearl Market is certainly an interesting place to visit.
One of the most fun parts about visiting the Pearl Market is that you can barter and bargain with the vendors. It can sometimes get very heated, but you can usually get a very good price for the things they have to sell.
The market is set up in booths and everyone wants you to come into their booth to look around. Sometimes, walking down the aisles of the market, vendors will grab you and literally pull you into their stores. It's sometimes awkward because you can't get them to let you go! That can feel like a very uncomfortable situation, but honestly, they don't mean anything by it-- it's just a way to get people in their shop.
There is a tailor in the Pearl Market that last year's McConnell Scholar's class suggested we visit. The tailor, Angela, makes quality suits for good prices if you can bargain with her well enough. Mary Kate Lindsey told me she drives a hard bargain and she was right.
It took me almost a whole day of bargaining with Angela to finally get a good price. I bought three suits because I will need them when I head to Washington, DC, to intern when I get back from China. Angela's greatest selling point may have been when she told me she was a "magician" and could use magic to make my belly disappear in her suits! The suits turned out very nicely, and I am now pleased to report that I have my very own tailor in Beijing!
Our class has been to the Pearl Market three separate times so far, and we'll probably be back a few more times! We're enjoying the "sport" of bargaining and we figure that "practice makes perfect!"
My best--
Trey Pippin, in the PRC, May 28