How Things Work In China

I recall in one of my English Newswriting classes, Prof Li turned specially towards me and explained the meaning of 关系。At that moment, I felt she didn’t have to, cos I did have a rough idea of it as a Chinese myself.

But somehow, reality and experience tend to differ from theory.

I like how things go in Singapore…straightforward, direct, by the book. Here, money talks, but I think关系 talks more.

Incidents...
In trying to get mama accommodation within campus (all rooms have apparently been booked due to a conference), I was asked by my楼长 to tell the in-charge to 照顾照顾.

Ee Jin told me how she and Peijing always get many more dumplings because they knew the lady at the counter. Over dinner, she said she was given one more bao cos she knew another of the crew!

Despite the evident queue at the photo-developing store, a man approached the staff hoping to be served first. He said that he had to rush for a train or something. Blatantly, he asked the storekeeper to “走后门” Thankfully, he was rejected.

Then I went to buy sweet corn. One of the stall keepers saw a girl she knew in the line. Right across the stall, she shouted “给你一个最大的！” I thought of po po at my provision store downstairs. She’d occasionally give us free or better stuff too, but it’s usually hush-hush, not outrightly before other customers!

And then there are times I notice locals who sneak in and shower in our hostel (they are suppose to pay for each shower at a designated shower place). I asked my roomie about it, and she said these people come as families with kids and all, especially during summer, because they know the guards. Argh.

North Korea
These days, I feel like a total student who’s no longer holidaying. I’ve been working on assignments and playing as much ping pong as I can in my free time. No shopping, no tour visits, no more photos…well, at least until my other visitors arrive this Friday morning.

Therefore, here are a few pics from my friends’ North Korea trip over the Labour Day holidays!

The week-long trip to North Korea cost around 3650rmb. That included the train ride to and fro, VISA application, accommodation and meals.
4 NTU GIP students, 2 from NUS and 2 from PKU…















Statue of Kim Il Sung, who held power from 1948 to 1994















Visitors had to purchase 20rmb bouquets and bow three times before the statue















North Korean couple















And finally…the 38th Parallel North (border separating North and South Korea). Ee Jin and Peijing are on the North Korean side, while the rows of tourists you see in the background are on the South Korean side.















Okie…till my life gets more exciting… ;)

gRacE