I recall the dense, sultry breeze that welcomed me. I was polka-dotted with perspiration as I walked across Beijing Airport. There was a heavy heat in the air, but no sign of the sun. No one smiled at me. China, as I soon discovered, was a place far different from home. But in these last summer months, I’ve made a home out of my unpretentious hotel room in Long Xuan Bing Guan. During my first week, I took the television off the table and placed it under the window ledge. I moved my nightstand to resemble a bookshelf, and situated my collection of books. In urban planning terms, I’ve turned my space into a place with a small plant, western wall décor, and a dragon figurine. That was ten weeks ago. Soon, I will be at
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