Chinese Yuan or US Dollar?
Since being here, I really got a real understanding of how hard the Chinese language has been. I have always heard my friends who have studied the language complain about it but being here in a fast pace class and also a beginner, I completely understand. One of the best ways to learn a language is to actually go out and speak with the locals and interact with them. One of the places that I really love to go is just outside my hotel. My student hotel is right on a street where there are many vendors and where there are many ways to get fruits and food. The locals, unlike the people I have encountered in life, are extremely helpful and understand that we do not know much of the language but are willing to learn. My fellow classmates and I would go to different vendors each day and ask them what they are selling, even if we might not be particularly interested. I have learned many useful words but just interacting with them. With the help of our comprehension teacher and the local vendors, we have learned how to order food. It does seem like a small thing but honestly, while being in a province where the cuisine is known for its spiciness and not being able to handle it, options are limited and the phrase, “is it spicy,” comes in really handy.
Being in China has really made me change my perspective on what I find interesting. I have found food stands where there are scorpions on sticks, stands that make Taiwan banana cookies, and stands where fake brand clothes are sold. By far, I would say the most interesting thing I have bought is an automated toothpick dispenser. I had first mistakenly bought it thinking it was like a jewelry holder but when I bought it and was given the box, it said, “automated toothpick dispenser.” Maybe that is what the guy was telling me before I bought it, who knows? Either way, I really hope my grandma loves her present.
Chinese currency is actually not that different from Guatemalan currency so keeping on budget has been relatively easy. Although my spending habits are actually a lot, mostly because of all the souvenirs I buy. I have noticed that in order to stay within budget I must buy souvenirs firsts and then figure out the money I have left in order to buy my necessities such as food and water.
