Finally going to China

I was beginning to doubt if we would ever leave Yangsan. There were no nibbles, much less bites, on our apartment. I was renewing my effort to learn and understand Korean, and hunkering down for the long haul. The only good part for me was that it’s cold now. Much of China is cold also, so travelling is less than desireable. This is especially true for Myung, who is temperature sensitive.
Well, the one person who the property manager brought by a week or so ago decided he liked the place. He’s all signed up and will be moving in on Monday, just four days from now. Just like that, we’re free.
Myung is reluctant to go. She likes it here and would like to figure out a way to make a living. She really thought about maybe not travelling anymore. This was going to break us up because I am not about to settle down, certainly not here, though maybe in some place with life, like Seoul or around Hong Kong. In the end, we have agreed to travel together for some undefined amount of time. This morning we mailed our passports to Seoul for Chinese visas and bought plane tickets to Gwangzhou for next Friday, the 23rd.
I don’t have anything to say about China yet. I really don’t know that much about the place. Well, maybe I do know more than the average Joe six pack, but hearing and reading about someplace is nothing like being there. I’m looking forward to becoming familiar quickly, guided by an old China hand like Myung. For those who haven’t been following this blog all along, Myung has lived near Hong Kong, in Shenzhen, for a long time. She speaks and reads Chinese well, and has travelled extensively there. She isn’t so excited about touring there, as she has seen much already. I hope she enjo9ys taking me in tow.
We’ll be staying in the south, as likely we will not be there for more than a couple of months and it’s cold in much of the north and in the mountains. Unless we stay well into the spring, Beijing and the Forbidden City and Great Wall will have to wait until another time. The two month timeline is because that may be all the government allows American passport holders to stay. Even then, I may have to go to Hong Kong or someplace to get an extension. At this time, it costs Americans $200/month for a Chinese visa. Ouch. Oh well, it’s the cost of doing business, as they say.
All that said, I am really excited about going. I hope Myung enjoys herself. Spring would be better, but circumstances are such as they are. I imagine my next post will be from Gwangzhou. Until then, be well, all of you.