I awoke to smog in the city. This is no ordinary smog, this smog bigger, better, stronger, and faster than anything that grows in the Western Hemisphere. This smog is self-aware. This smog will take you hostage and demand ransom. The Beijing government has a device of sorts that measures the smog level in the city, but on this day, the smog was “above index.” Take a look:
“On Monday, dense smog blanketed the city of Beijing, China. It was so bad that the hazardous air pollution exceeded measurable levels, forcing Chinese officials to urge residents to stay indoors. Official measurements indicated that the smog was "beyond index," plunging below the worst rating on the city's pollution scale.” – Yahoo News
It is that bad, and I was here to witness this dubious mark in world history. The smog, paired with the fact that it is below freezing outside, has me not wanting to go outside for any reason. I went to class, almost losing myself in the smoggy wilderness and found that I didn’t study very well on the night before. I was lulled into a false sense of security.
I left class and went straight to the dumpling hut outside the West Gate. It was delicious, as if I had to clarify that point. Then I returned for my one-on-one class. It was intriguing… Then, I returned to the dorm and finished an essay that is due the morrow. The essay is a synthesis of several essays that we have written over the semester thus far and was actually quite easy to finish.
Then, I went to Bally, where I read some Sherlock Holmes while I rode on the trainer. One could not ask for anything better – reading classic English literature while working out. Then, I came back and played guitar.
I eventually got hungry, as all humans do after not eating for some time, and I went out to eat with Wes and Hannah. We ate at the Beijing Duck restaurant across from the dorm, ordering eggplant, chicken wings, Japanese tofu, lotus, and green beans with peppers. It was another great meal, and that makes two delicious suppers in a row. I am getting spoiled.
We went back to the dorm, where Wes showed me more about the wonders of the Internet in China…
Sleep.
I’ll write soon!
Love,
Jamey
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