I can't find any very descriptive words to explain the changes the city has seen in the last few days with respect to weather. But, I don't think my cold/body/lungs appreciate the changes in temperature, pollution, and psychotic wind episodes.
Hong Kong was very warm and I loved being there. It was absolutely amazing and the weather stayed around the 70s the whole time we were there. When coming back to Beijing I thought to expect the worst. I found the temperatures slightly mild, still cold, but not too bad. Then I got sick and feel like I have been locked up in my headcold/apartment for forever (it was only two days but my head was foggy for a few after that).
I woke up Monday morning hearing the sound of water on the road. Having lived in Bellingham/ PNW for so long, I have grown accustomed to waking up in the morning and being able to hear what the weather was like. Strange, I know. I realized this as I lay in my Beijing bed, hearing water on the road, hoping it was raining. I miss the sound of rain, I miss rain.
Anyway, I got up, open my curtains... and there it was, snowing.... I didn't realize it had been that cold. But guess it decided to snow. For a few hours, some of it stuck... some didn't. Anyway... snow. cold. Kind over it.... so there's the snow.
Tuesday, I wake up, walkout side and its warm. I dressed for snow mind you. By the time I get to my bus and get on, I have taken off my jacket, sweatshirt, hat, scarf, gloves, and ready to take off my work shirt, but figure I shouldn't completely strip on the bus in front of all the people that are already staring at me like I am an alien. (I do get stared at a lot, not only for being white and having blonde hair, but also because I am the only non-Chinese person on the bus... and I think also something to do with my skin... people talk about it a lot.)
Wednesday rolls around.. not sure what to expect at this point. Slept in late not worrying about the time. I get outside and it's even warmer. The sun is out. It's a nice day for once. I can tell spring is coming and being outside makes me happy for the first time in a while.
Now today... Thursday. I woke up this morning to strange buzzing sound. First I went to open the curtains to see what it looked like outside, and nothing out of the ordinary. I gray (maybe a slightly orange haze) hazy-looking day. I sit down at my computer and hear the buzzing again. So I walk to my window and look outside again and realize the wind is out of control. Trees look like they are about to fall down, people are holding on to hats, shit is flying around everywhere.... then it dawns on me.... It's almost March... which means time for our Gobi Desert storms..... oh joy oh rapture. The orange haze is due to the sand being blown into the city. The wind has picked up because the weather is getting warmer which means the sands will continue to fill the city causing for an even more enjoyable pollution/sand-filled/whathappenedtothesunblueskiesclouds city. I have grounded myself for the day. I refuse to venture into the orange world out my window. (yes the photo blow has been instagramed.. so no it is not that orange... but it helps add to the effect).
On a side note... I only have 6 and half months left. Everything has been settled to start Grad school September 16th (except financial aid which I should have no problem with, but won't find out until August.) I do appreciate and love my experiences here, and love the people I am around... but I think there are other cities around the world I could find the same experience... and still be able to hear the sound of rain, see the sun and clouds.. and blue skies. I'm happy to going back home. But still have a lot to do and learn while I am here.
