Reflections after returning to Beijing
It’s been five years since I left, and it feels like there hasn’t been a single day without thinking about returning. The first stop upon return was Beijing, where I dealt with a few trivial matters before heading back home. However, the heat from those five years has long been forgotten.
As I passed Li Shui bridge, I couldn’t help but wonder why there are so many super high-rise buildings in this part of Beijing. The road ahead was filled with dust, and people were wearing masks and looking like vermin. This place lacks dignity! What a shame that it’s called a city!
Upon returning, the most uncomfortable thing is how many people there are everywhere, without any order. The streets and sidewalks were filled with vehicles and people, the sun was scorching, the dust was flying, and it was hard to breathe in such a high-density environment. Plus, all these attractive makeup girls on bicycles seemed to be commuting from this chaotic part of town.
In one week, I felt extremely poor. While walking around Beijing, I was physically present but mentally struggling to adjust. Everything inside me was shrinking at an unprecedented speed. This is the most bizarre thing: returning to a place that feels like a slum every time I step outside.
Changing my American license to a Chinese one took less than 10 minutes in the DMV. Everything went smoothly, and it was so fast.
By the way, I had to schedule an appointment for Subject Test 1 before getting my license, which was convenient. However, recently, the nearest available place is near the northern suburbs of Changping District in Beijing. It’s like driving through a rural area, but there are still DMV offices everywhere, including one right at a small village (which apparently resembles a car service). This place is called “Jinghu Town,” and it’s quite absurd.
In recent weeks, I’ve been extremely busy with work. Traveling around Beijing has been both tiring and exhausting, especially commuting to places like Haidian and Chaoyang where the air quality was terrible just two days ago. The combination of traffic jams and smog is making me feel like I’m stuck in a nightmare.
When I went to exchange my license, I was shocked that Chinese drivers have so much patience with all these pointless rules.
Additionally, I had to wait for Subject Test 1 for over two weeks because it’s only offered on certain days, which is both frustrating and exhausting.
In one week, I’ve become extremely poor in terms of material wealth. Even my basic needs were stretching thin quickly, but I’m trying to stay positive by focusing on the simple joys of life.
Looking back at my photos from when I was a student, I can’t believe how much I’ve changed.
When I got my license, I thought it was going to be an easy process, but now that I think about it, it’s more complicated than I imagined.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
In one week, I’ve spent over 100 yuan on gas and tolls alone since I returned. The prices here are crazy: a taxi ride costs hundreds of yuan, yet the fuel is so cheap you could buy it with five bottles of gasoline. This place is so expensive that even a student can’t survive without going into debt.
Just now, while dealing with traffic jams in Beijing, I was approached by someone who told me about this new bar on the outskirts. The description made my head spin, but I knew immediately that I couldn’t stay there for long because of the high rent and lack of parking spots.
