In an effort to make a few shorter posts for those who don't have all day to read my ramblings on China, I have a series of top-ten lists.
- Social media: the Chinese government has blocked most social media, including Facebook, twitter and Instagram. I think it has something to do with cutting down on dissention/organized protests. I use the VPN to get around this.
- Google: all things google are blocked. Which makes it difficult, since my default email is powered by google. Again, the VPN is useful in this regard.
- Cheese: In the US, we smother a lot of dishes in cheese. Here, I’ve had one or two dishes with cheese (one of which was a pizza shop). Cheese in the markets are very expensive as well.
- Water fountains: If you drink water all day like most Americans, you’ll have a hard time adjusting to China. Though nearly every office has a water boiler for tea.
- Wifi: In my office, the only way I can get WiFi is to plug in a little device into my laptop and it turns computer into a mini-router. There are no dedicated routers in my office, though there are routers in the mall
- Refrigerators: In the US, there’s one in nearly all the student offices, plus one in the break room. Refrigeration is rare except for essential activities. I don’t know about individual apartments.
- Soda: It’s available in some stores, but it isn’t nearly as ubiquitous as it is in the US. It’s rarely served in restaurants here.
- Gasoline-powered scooters: Both at UF and China, there are plenty of scooters, but most of the scooters here are electric (and subsequently very stealthy, look both ways before crossing the street!)
- Silverware: chopsticks for days!
- Coffee: In China, green tea is much more popular. As a result, I haven’t had a cup of coffee in several weeks. There are a few coffee-shops in the mall, but the prices are about the same as a starbucks in the US.
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| In China, they eat pizza with their hands, but they wear gloves to keep their hands clean. |
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