After plane-hopping 4 different times, enduring a 7-hour flight delay, and staying overnight at a (dope AF) 5-star hotel in Beijing, I finally landed in Guangzhou (Canton) at 7:40 PM last night!! I was so jet-lagged and exhausted that I slept like a baby (~10 hours to be exact).

It’s 11 AM right now in Guangzhou, China & I am currently staying at my Aunt and Uncle’s apartment (on my dad’s side of the family). Although the city is very industrialized, the scenery surrounding the building is beautiful. There are rows of lush palm trees lining the entrance, and there is a small indoor garden inside too (picture above).

For the most part, we are treated very warmly by our relatives. Because we are the only family in the U.S., my aunt, uncle, and (maternal) grandmother take special care to make sure our needs are met. Some people may consider this to be invasive, but to Chinese people, it’s how they show that they care. Still, it feels a little strange to be so spoiled!

Other interesting notes:

1. Temp/Weather: Because Guangzhou is semi-tropical, the temperature changes a LOT (Within the same region, and from one day to the next). For instance, in Beijing it was around 40 degrees F, while in Guangzhou the temp is currently around 65 degrees F. It’s also really windy here, so it will suddenly feel really cold at times. Weather-wise, it’s really humid outside and the air quality is not that great. However, this largely has to do with the pollution from the nearby industries.
2. The Language/Cultural Barrier: Alright, I’ve been outed by two people already (my aunt’s sister and cousin) that I now speak Chinese like a 100% American. [“你讲的话就像外国人!” Ni jiang de hua jiu xiang wai guo ren] It’s kind of a “no brainer” that my Chinese has gotten worse, but still it makes me feel a little guilty! (lol)
3. Food: The food is pretty good, and everything is remarkably healthy. There is a mix of meat and vegetables, and the portion sizes are very small. Rice or porridge is a staple, and either one is served at every meal.