May 28-31: Enjoying the last of Beijing

May 28-31: Enjoying the last of Beijing (with a sick stomach)

I had been looking forward to my final 3 days in China since my arrival. After working 14 days straight I had big plans for my well-deserved freedom. I was going to do some shopping for me, some for my friends, some for my family and maybe some more for me. I was going to visit Beijing's main attractions: such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. I was going to have a proper 'Beijing duck' meal and I was certainly going to have some more beers! Oh, and most importantly, I was going to treat myself to that SPA that I'd never got during my SPA interview. It was going to be a great time!

However, when I woke up Sunday morning, feeling neither fulfilled nor fresh but rather tired and sick, I realized I might have to do some small adjustments to my plans. After spending a night 'hanging out' on the loo I was feeling rather weak and all that 'shopping' (read: being crammed in a small place with way too many people) didn't sound that appealing anymore.

My boss was in town so I reluctantly agreed to have lunch with him and some of his CRI contacts, on the terms he ordered soup and rice for my (unhappy) stomach's sake. But, I should have known better as we went to a Shanghai resto and people went for the finest and most delicate dishes, such as oyster, mussels and fish. I felt my stomach turn just by looking at the things but there was not much of a choice to this one, because how could I be so rude that I'd decline? Just dig in and then head for the toilet.

Not until we'd finished our 'feast' and the waiter brought in the bill did my boss finally remember my minor disability. 'Oh Jonna, did you want some rice for your sick stomach?!' Everyone's eyes went from my boss, to my pale face to my stomach.

'Oh no thanks I am actually doing better!' I said and forced a smile. I don't think I convinced anyone but as someone paid the bill I was let off the hook and could take a taxi home. Thank God!

The following days I spent in bed trying to sleep, in the kitchen trying to eat and on the toilet being unsuccessful in my 'keeping the food down' attempts. I tried, several times, to go out and make the most of my last days in Beijing, but as the days had gotten warmer it was certainly proving to be an effort to make it out there. One day I went, armed with a camera, to the Temple of Heaven, in order to take some photos that my colleagues had requested.

I soon learned, thought, that trying to take photos, get a bit of sight-seeing, and understanding the complicated history that went with this place, was close to impossible in my state of (body and) mind. And the fact that I couldn't keep the food down didn't really make me a pleasant company either. Poor Panda had to fuss over me, buy me stomach friendly yoghurt and try to make the most of the time while dealing with my grumpiness. I honestly felt sorry for her.

During my last day, I decided that both I and Panda were worth a treat. I gave up food totally, and took us to a SPA. There, I ordered us face treatment and full-body massage.

Imagine my surprise when we were put in a room with two SPA ladies that ordered us to strip down and then put on a pair knickers made of paper. I thought they were joking but when Panda started getting undressed, I saw no other choice but to follow. I have never felt more uncomfortable though, lying on a bench (that was way too short for my 1.75 meters) wearing nothing but paper-knickers. Oh well. What don't you do to be beautiful?!

The face treatment, on the other hand, was quite good, but way too many creams. I felt like a grease ball when we eventually stepped out on the streets of Beijing.

I suppose something good came out of being a sick during my last days: I didn't end up spending as much money as estimated. And I got to try a lot of interesting traditional Chinese stomach cures and yoghurt as my 'tourist emergency' pills didn't do the trick. But it wasn't until the day I was actually flying out that I started to feel a little less sweaty and more stomach stable.

Oh well, I suppose that's sort of come with a trip to this magnificent country in the east. Overall, I am very happy about my trip and the ppl I've met and the places I've been to. Anyone out there going to China get ready to experience something different! China is nothing like expected –it's much bigger, better and full on than someone can ever imagine. I'm looking forward to coming back!

Ps. China Radio International’s Paul Young decided to include my China experiences in his radio show, listen to it (as a pod cast) by clicking on this link:

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