After getting to know that I’m pregnant and in the time before the first ultrasound, my husband is anxious. The doctor has told us that we have to monitor the progress and that chances are the egg would nest in the wrong place. This and the fact that miscarriages are highest in the first trimester […]
Tag Archives: Shenzhen life
I have recently started working out and with that I have started craving fruits. Every second day or so, I work out after getting off work and arrive at home really late in the evening. Exhausted from working out, you can often still find me in the kitchen late at night, preparing fresh fruit juice. […]
This is part 2 of a conversation I had with a taxi driver in Shenzhen. The conversation was rather long, so I’ve split it into 6 parts. Click here if you’ve missed part 1 (“Is learning English hard for you?”) and stay tuned for part 3-6: Weddings and gifts, “Do you like China?”, “The most […]
In today’s guest post I’d like to introduce you to Rose from Life in Shenzhen. Rose has been living in Shenzhen for almost five years. She has a Master’s Degree in Educational Studies and works as a teacher and education specialist, with recent experience in special needs. She writes for Afar Media at http://www.afar.com/travelers/rose-symotiuk/. She […]
I’ve been trying to find some more English language blogs written by people living in Shenzhen. The list is still short and comes in no particular order – let me know if you know of any other interesting blogs that are related to the topic of living in Shenzhen. Here are the blogs: Shenzhen Noted: […]
Today, I’m sharing a photo with you that was taken at about the same time last year. On this day about a year ago, Y and I visited Dafen Oil Painting Village in Shenzhen (大芬油画村 dàfēn yóuhuàcūn). The village has many small shops which sell copies of famous paintings. I can imagine that my grandfather […]
The fitness studio I recently started going to offers Chinese folk dance classes. The first time I go to the dancing class it’s filled with women in their 40s and 50s. I seem to be one of the younger ones – together with the teacher, who is the only male person in the room. The […]
This is part 2 of a conversation I had with a woman called L who is working at a massage parlour. Click here if you’ve missed part 1 (“How come you married so young?”). Stay tuned for part 3 (“Do people in Austria have their eyes made bigger?). After talking about marriage, L goes on: […]
One day in May 2013, I’m at a Lanzhou noodle restaurant near my apartment. While I’m waiting for the food, I send my then-fiancé now-husband a voice message. When the guy sitting across the table from me hears that I can speak Chinese, he starts chatting with me. After talking about where I’m from and […]
Today I’m featuring a guest post by Sarah, fellow Shenzhen-expat and the face behind the blog Reclaim Your Fearlessnesss that gives tips on how to live the life you want to live and not let others dictate it. I love her blog and have nominated her for the Liebster Award last month (see her answers here). Sarah has grown up […]
Y is different from most Chinese I know. Well, I know, of course he is – to me, right? What I mean is that his eating habits are different from most other Chinese people I know. He loves eating raw vegetables. He had never been to Europe before our wedding, but he still loved eating […]
This is part 2 of 4 of a conversation with a 17-year old girl working at the hairdresser’s doing massages. Click here if you’ve missed part 1 (“Do you have brothers and sisters?”). Stay tuned for part 3 (“I have the heart of a boy”) and part 4 (“Is your hair dyed or is this […]
I’ve heard many bad things about Shenzhen. I never wanted to come here in the first place because of what I’ve heard. Now that I’m living in Shenzhen, it does bother me if people repeat those stereotypes unreflectedly and without having lived here for a certain period of time. I think you do have the […]
One day after work, Y, another colleague and I go to have dinner at a nearby street side restaurant. The road leading there is surrounded by trees – mainly mango trees and durian trees. On our way to the restaurant, three guys cross our way, each one of them carrying a really huge durian fruit. […]
As much as I love Shenzhen with its many flowers and lots of space – when it comes to food I would trade it for Honkong without hesitation. A few years ago I entered a congee restaurant with the name Congee Wonderland in Hongkong. I became addicted to their congee and try to go there […]
Y and I pick up my two wedding dresses the other day. Before we leave the shop, the tailoress says: “Promise me to be happy. If you find out that the dresses are too tight before flying back to Austria for the wedding, you can call me and I’ll change them once again. Or if […]
The first time I go to a blind massage place in China in 2013 reminds me of all the reasons why I hadn’t been to one of these places for a few months: It hurts like hell and is not remotely connected to what comes to most people’s minds upon hearing the word massage. (If […]
I’m at a Spa getting a massage and start talking with the girl working there. A while into the conversation she asks: “Do you have a boyfriend?” I: “I do.” She: “Where is he from?” I: “He’s from Northeast China.” She: “Do your parents approve of your relationship?” I: “Of course, why wouldn’t they?” She: […]
It was at the time of the change of seasons, the end of fall and the beginning of winter, when everyone at the office had a cold or came down with some kind of flu. I had had a cold for a few days and stomach ache on and off, so on a sunny morning […]
At the exit of the subway stop near my place there are usually half a dozen people with motorcycles waiting for passengers. I’m passing by this place every time I get off the subway on my way back home from work. While most of the drivers shout things like “Hello, sit on my bike” or […]
A four-year old girl is sitting right next to me on the subway. She looks at me and asks her mother: “Mum, are foreigners and Chinese the same?” I answer her instead: “Almost.” She looks at me surprised, and asks her mother again: “Mum, why can she speak Chinese?” I tell her: “I’ve studied it […]
A guy enters the elevator right after me. I just came back home from Ikea, carrying a heavy bag and a suitcase. As he sees this, he says: “Wow, you’re amazing. Do you teach English here?” I: “No, I’m working as an art director.” He: “In which field?” I: “Advertisement.” He: “Oh wow, that’s amazing. […]
I have moved to a new apartment for at least 15 times in my life, but never has looking for a flat been as enthralling as this one time in November 2012. One morning my company called to tell me that I needed a tenancy agreement in the next one or two days. I had […]
I took a cab to get to my new flat the other day. Cab driver: “Where are you from?” I: “Austria, and you?” Cd: “I’m Chinese!” I: “But where are you from in China?” Cd: “Hubei. How old are you? Twenty-something?” I: “Yes, I’m 25. How about you?” Cd: “I’m 32.” I: “You look younger […]
China elevator stories 