Blog Post # 6 (Post China) is here! That went fast. My wife and I had an amazing 18 days in Hong Kong and mainland China. We did not get sick as many people predicted we would. I had a co-worker, originally from China, tell me before I left, “oh, you’ll get sick for sure.” We did skip all food that seemed too risky. We skipped the scorpions and crickets that were displayed alive on sticks. We also skipped the tarantulas and sea horses. The one issue I did have came when a car, too small for the path, required that I step into some bushes to let him by. I must have stepped into some plant that didn’t like being touched by human skin because it caused my shins and ankles to become a blotchy red and yellow and extremely itchy. I considered seeking medical attention but as quickly as it came on, it was gone.

As for my health regimen, I had both successes and failure. I did not miss a workout despite the heat of Hong Kong and Guangzhou. It was challenging at times but with a mindset that working out is a “must” and not a “should”, I never considered missing a session. Diet was a difficult challenge but one I definitely learned from. Who knew China had so many great craft breweries? My wife and I walked so much that I found myself ravenously hungry more than once in an area with only McDonald’s or KFC to choose from….poor planning.

All in all, it was the once in a lifetime trip I had hoped for. I learned a lot and even picked up a tiny bit of Mandarin (highly useful for a nurse working in Vancouver, Canada – not sarcasm). Here’s an overview of the trip with all the cheesy humour you can handle. There’s good advice too:

Hong Kong

If anyone were to ask me, “How’s Hong Kong? What’s it like?”, I’d have to say,

“I don’t know. It’s not done yet.”

There was construction everywhere. It does have potential to be a city one day. Getting around is quite easy (if construction isn’t blocking your way). The subway, the tram, and the passenger ferries are all easy and affordable. Much of the city is built on a hill so of course there are escalators built by the sidewalk to help you make your way up. Sorry, you’ll have to walk down on your own power. On the first day there, I decided to go to Victoria Park to work out on the outdoor fitness equipment and then run on the rubber jogging track. I went before 0800 to try to beat the heat. Apparently, all the people of Hong Kong also love Victoria Park and like to beat the heat. The park was jam packed full of exercisers doing strength training, dancing, jogging, walking, and tai chi. I did my session and powered through and around all the many health-conscious people surrounding me. It felt so right to get off to a good start. Later, I found a store with protein bars and protein drinks and did some stocking up. I was then ready to get some dim sum at Dim Dim Sum so I could say I had some dim sum at Dim Dim Sum in Hong Hong Kong.

Mainland China

I had heard many travellers say that they didn’t like mainland China. The country certainly has pros and cons. In the very hot and humid Guangzhou, we found polluted air, disgusting water ways, and crowded streets….yet I loved it. Friendly people, clean streets, beautiful parks, and wonderful architecture made Guangzhou a city bursting with personality. The weather tried so very hard to dampen our spirits as the rain hit us hard more than once. Luckily, the typhoon (Typhoon Haima) that was predicted and had the schools closed never really made it to us.

Your money is no good here! While I should have exchanged money at the airport (insert my wife’s “I told you so” and laugh here), I decided to wait and figured I would exchange money at a bank in Guangzhou. Oh no no no, it does not work that way:

The Bank of China were first up, “What do you want to do?”

“Exchange dollars for Chinese money.”

“Fill out this form.”

“OK”

“Sign here”

“OK”

“What’s your account number? Do you have your bank card?”

“What? No. I just want to exchange this cash for Chinese cash”

“No you need an account here.”

“I’m a tourist. I’m here for 2 weeks. I don’t have or need an account”

Then my friend volunteers to use his account, fills out a couple of long forms and they still can’t do it because he doesn’t have his passport on him but does have a photocopy of it. Not good enough.

We go to another bank. The HSBC. We have a card for them.

“No you need a Chinese account but they’ll exchange money around the corner at ICBC”

Wait, ICBC? No, not that ICBC.

So 45 minutes later following the filling out of multiple forms, copies of every portion of our passport, and an extended interview process, we were able to exchange cash money made of paper for Chinese money made of paper. If that’s exchanging money, how do people get a mortgage or purchase a car? Upon leaving China, we brought our money to an exchange depot at the airport and the transaction was completed before you could say, “What the feng shui?”

Protein was another issue I found in mainland China. Well, there’s plenty of protein if you want whole ducks, tarantulas, and scorpions. However, I found supplemental protein (protein bars and drinks) impossible to find. I wish I had brought more into the country with me. Protein is the most important macronutrient for optimal health and weight control (another post for another time). It was difficult to not have access to my protein supplements. In the end I put on just over 4 lbs (2.5kg) in my time in China. The process to reach my weight loss and fitness goals is already back on track now that I’m home. It’s one of the big reasons that it’s good to be home.

One major thing I’ve learned in my travels is that different cultures have different views of personal space. No where was this more evident than in Shanghai and Beijing. With populations of over 20 million in each city, people adapt and just expect to be jostled by others. Sitting in China reading a post/rant on Facebook from a friend back home requesting that people provide personal space on the Skytrain (Vancouver’s Subway), I couldn’t help but laugh. I had just taken the subway at rush hour in Shanghai where the train was so packed that people could barely breathe. At that moment I knew why sardines at the Shanghai aquarium said they were packed in their like Chinese commuters. My wife said we should wait for the next train. I grabbed her hand and said we’re getting on as I barged through the line like Marshawn Lynch in his heyday. What surprised my wife is that ten more people came on after us. With us so packed together and my very limited Mandarin, I’m not sure that I didn’t start a couple of relationships. It was at least a first date.

So with those few thoughts on travel and health, I can say I’m so glad my wife and I went to China. I had a fantastic time but it is also truly great to be home (despite all the rain). As usual, here is an original joke (with a bonus joke). I can’t take all of the credit here as it came from conversations with a co-worker and a friend (Claire and Corey). They had the punch lines that I tried to shape, add to, and restructure for print. Enjoy!

I asked a co-worker if she would ever consider getting involved in management and leadership.

She replied with a sad sigh, “Nooo. I can’t. I still have a human heart… and a soul:(”

Bonus joke:

My friend had a band-aid on his finger. I asked him what happened.

He explained that he had been on vacation in Vietnam and had caught his finger in a cooler door getting a beer.

 I said, “That’s a bit embarrassing.”

 “It’s not embarrassing. I was wounded in ‘Nam!”