It’s been a long time coming, but summer has finally arrived in China’s north-east with a bang. Within the space of four weeks, the snow covered streets have been replaced with hot glorious sun, temperatures exceeding thirty degrees Celsius and inhabitants hell bent on eating the world’s supply of ice cream. While market sellers and barbecued kebab stalls line the roads, ‘tai-chi’ experts wielding samurai swords, orchestras playing poignant songs of yesteryear, and groups of choreographed dancing women compete for space in the cities parks. At night, like light-crazed moths, people flock around street illuminations to carry on with these activities. Women have replaced their long-johns and thick winter fur coats with slinky floral dresses and parasols, their unshaven legs and bushy armpits on show for all to see. Although this may seem slightly uncivilised to ... read more

Since coming to China I’ve been called many things. Edwin, Adin, Andy and even the odd Andriy have all made appearances. The pronunciation of English names isn’t one of Chinese people’s strong points. Saying that though, I can’t say I can boast to being any better. I only remember those students with an English name. Those without an English name, disappointingly on my behalf, get little more than an array of finger points for months before I finally learn them. If I can expect my Chinese students to adopt an English name to make my job easier, I thought it only fair that I returned the favour and adopt a Chinese name. I of course have no idea where to start when it comes to adopting a Chinese name. Luckily a local friend decided to take ... read more

With Harbin immensely enjoyed, it was on to the final destination of our little vacation, Dandong, before returning to teaching life. I like to research a location before visiting and Dandong was no different. I knew there were good views to be had into North Korea and also a sparsely visited stretch of the Great Wall of China. I’d also read several accounts from other travellers who had found a very thin stretch of the Yalu River that separates the two countries and had waded across. Hearing of the recent trouble several American citizens had found themselves in when crossing illegally in to North Korea, I wasn’t so sure I’d be willing to risk wasting several months of my life in a North Korean prison just to put foot on this secretive country’s soil. With a ... read more

If Christmas felt like a normal day, the lead up to Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) had that special holiday feeling. As people hurried along the streets with enough provisions to survive the apocalypse, I could sense this was one Chinese festival not to be missed. Spring Festival not only signifies the start of the Chinese lunar calendar, but more importantly, it also indicated my first holiday and first chance to leave Benxi since arriving in China. Many locals had warned of the hassle of travelling over this festive period, but with no other holiday on the horizon, I was willing to take the risk. Travelling during what many people call the world’s biggest annual migration does have it’s drawbacks. Buying train tickets is one of these. With half of China wanting a precious train ticket, ... read more