Ni Hao!
The trip into China was very long and exhausting. However, we all made it just fine with no complications.
The first thing I noticed when stepping out of the airplane and into the bus to drive from Beijing to Tianjin, Modernization. In the midst of dust and crumbling buildings arise new buildings. A juxtaposition. A merger between the old and the new. Improvement of the old, perhaps?
There is a lot of housing, I suppose for a growing population. All of these people stuffed and packaged into squares one on top another. The construction stirs up the dust that has settled all throughout the city. Tianjin, meaning the port of the emperor, has meant to me, the city without a sun, lost in a haze. Everything looks like it's covered in dust, even the people racing by on their bicycles seem to be covered in an impenetrable layer of sutt.
At first, I felt like this was a reflection of my inner self. Lost. Confused. And jet lagged. So far, with the little Chinese that I know, I rely soley on body language, but that does not help much, as most people are very good at hiding their inner emotions. So I am left with one life saving technique, keep my ears open and my mind alert for the sound of a car horn to tell me, "get out of the way, or I WILL hit you."
Seeing the city, reminds me of a place that I used to know. It reminds me of a life I used to have back in Pskov, Russia. It all seems so similar. The simplicity of living. No nonsense in material. Maybe it is different in Beijing and Shanghai, but here, it is the earth.
Now that I have settled in, we had our first classes in Chinese. The language is very complicated. On top of phonetics, there are what feels like a million characters that mean nearly nothing to me. Just pretty pictures. However, that does not mean that I do not enjoy learning the language. It's just very confusing.
We are also learning Tai Chi and Wushu, which has created a lot of pain throughout my body. Yet, proud to be able to push my body and discipline it through physical movement.
I have been taking pictures of various things that I find to be beautiful and represents the true essence of the city. I hope you enjoy them.
This is where I live. Yiyuan Building 4.
Tianjian needle. Second highest point in China, I believe. You can challenge me on it, because I don't really remember. Maybe 3rd. Point is, it's tall.
This was hidden in some little alley way, and I felt like it was rich with feeling and color. There was something about that garlic.
I think that is the character for luck and me. After all, I am a lucky rabbit based on the Chinese New Year. 
I took this picture for Daniel Ward. Delicious.
This is near my class.
I woke up on one of the first nights at 4 am and decided to go for a walk when I walked by these four doors, and thought that it was a metaphore. Choose your fate. Pick a door, any door.
As a group we went to the market after dinner. The market was closing when someone pointed out this bird to me. It's a pretty bird. However, you may notice it is on a leash that is attached to it's neck. I wonder if he/she is happy.
Well, those were just some pictures. I miss home and I miss hearing people's voices and faces. Call me, send me some loving, take care.
Zai Jain
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