Settling in

Hello friends,

After a slightly rough start where I was picked for a random throat swab COVID test (was negative) then accidentally mistaking our neighbour's keypad door as ours and tried (unsuccessfully) to break into their apartment, I am in CHENGDU!

It's been four years since I lived in China.

First impression? China has had a new iOS upgrade. The core operating system is still the same, but there are new features:

• forget QR codes, it's all about facial recognition

• Everything is linked to WeChat and your mobile number. Every store has a loyalty system and an online ordering/purchasing system that often is accessed by WeChat.

• super APPs are now supercalifragilisticexpialidocious APPs >> I can call 30 different rideshares on China's Didi app.

• Being back has also reminded me of the things I missed (and didn't miss) in China

I missed:

• the convenience. I wanted toast the other night and ordered a toaster and peanut butter at 9pm. Both arrived at my door in 35 minutes.

• the cheap and delicious food. A jianbing is 6 RMB ($1.50) in Chengdu

• the metro arriving every 5 minutes

I did not miss:

• the overreliance on mobile phones and how everyone is completely attached to their phone. Includes people randomly stopping in the middle of the road to check their phone. Not ok.

• the overpackaging of everything

• the security checks at all train stations, including extra scrutiny for liquids. I got judged by one security for a supermarket bag only of beer. Luckily I was not asked to open and take a sip of each one #iykyk

• I've yet to do too much exploring in Chengdu, mostly because I've turned into a mobile-dependent-APP-obsessed-person that collects my parcels once a week.

Much love,

Lucy

x