Hello from Beijing! 

After a summer of deliberation and hair-loss, I bought a one-way ticket to Cartagena, Colombia for October 25, intent on finally starting my solo backpacking journey. Then two weeks ago I received a call from Beijing, from the same family friend who called me earlier this year requesting me to push back my own plans to accompany his son to Boston. That’s how I ended up in Boston this year, and not in Moscow as I had planned. Long story short, I no longer believe in the concept of planning, and I’ve found myself back in the ‘Jing.

“Why,” you ask, “did you say YES?!” Basically, a combination of familial obligation and pressure, my own willingness for the sake of income and change of scenery, and the chance to see my dad led me to agree to this gig as a full-time English language conversation partner. Besides, I’ve always wanted a job that allowed me to travel, so I guess this is it! 

There is a lot I’m looking forward to being back: dancing through the night at Dada, the 20’x20′ nightclub (not precise measurement), being present to celebrate a good friend’s birthday, eating eating eating eating eating, visiting Little Yard, and just being amongst the hubbub that is Beijing. Plus, I get to eat my dad’s home-cooking (my lips are already numb…he’s from Chongqing where the cuisine is numbingly spicy).

Signing off now to see what’s going on outside! There’s always soooomething interesting happening on these crazy streets…