Beijing

[trailingvortex]

I stayed in Beijing with a young lady of my acquaintance and her beloved (I despise the term 'boyfriend', but that is a matter for another time). They live in an apartment in a charmingly soviet-bloc block and seem to be quite happy there

Comments

[chinese_lily]

I had my first introduction to squat toilets at age 11, on holiday in Mayalsia. The first time is always the worst. After that, it's not so bad...

I cannot wait for my own China experience in August! I, however, I am going to Xiamen, near Hong Kong. Not sure whether Beijing is on our itinary.

[trailingvortex]

You have never been? How long will you be there? How is your Mandarin? Fluent? Basic? Tell me everything, please. ^_^

[chinese_lily]

My Mandarin is in the early stages of basic, I am afraid. I just about hold together a conversation about how I am, and then I can ask where the toilet is...

I'll be there for about 12 days hopefully. My family can't apply for the visas until June so nothing can be confirmed until then :(

But hopefully, adventures around China await me!

[trailingvortex]

If you do, I have exquisite individuals in Beijing and China for you to meet. Can also provide accomodation.

[chinese_lily]

Also, I am curious. Why dost thou despise the term "boyfriend?"

Given a choice though, I would prefer to be called someone's "beloved" than girlfriend. It's very romantic.

[trailingvortex]

'Boyfriend' seems a silly term. It's certainly cute, which is perfectly alright. It is also descriptive in that such a relationship should have deep friendship at its core. And yet it lacks any kind of romantic grandeur. Lovers should be heroic, not casual. There should be nothing commonplace about passion.

[trailingvortex]

Also good! I approve.

A term of endearment I UTTERLY despise: 'Hubby'. I will have to think on it a while before I can say in adequate terms precisely why or how it repulses me so.