An update, perhaps?

So how is China?

Beijing is an interesting city. It seems so modern and developed, but there are still things to figure out and overcome. Just in small, manageable ways.

Many expats will tell you that China is a crazy place and insanely overwhelming. Those people have not lived in Bangladesh.

Like today, I wandered around the gym in the hotel adjoining my apartment building. After several rooms of lockers, hot tub, pool, lounge, I still had not found any exercise machines. But eventually I found them, well hidden. Whew.

So far, the most terrifying experience in Beijing has been a visit to Carrefour. Carrefour may sound rarefied and French, but it is not. That is a sham. In fact, it is filled with every person in Beijing (it feels like), and nothing is in English, even on American brands. It took me twenty minutes to figure out what was shampoo and what was conditioner, and only because Herbal Essences helpfully puts shampoos in clear bottles and conditioner in opaque ones. I have vowed never to return.

But by and large, it is sort of like living in New York City, except with better Chinese food and less ability to communicate with those around me.

I am told the rest of China is very different. But you know what? I am okay in Beijing for now.

Plus, I can't travel yet because it is entirely unclear when I will get my diplomatic ID card that would allow me to check into hotels/take flights. Apparently my application got messed up and I may have to leave the country to fix it. Sweet.

You know what else can't happen until we get the card? Getting our stuff. But that's okay, our household effects never got ordered from the storage facility in Belgium, so they won't be here for a loooooooooooong while anyway.

Maybe when I have to leave the country to fix my visa application, I can go to Belgium and find them!

This morning I made terrible pancakes because the welcome kit that is supposed to tide us over until our things arrive does not have any measuring cups, dry measures, or measuring spoons. Thus, too little sugar and salt--the proportions were off.

But when it finally comes down to the time we may be getting settled, there is one joy on the horizon, one great shining Mecca of home furnishing that will help us fill in the gaps: yes, that's right, my friends, Beijing has Ikea.

I'm not in Dhaka anymore.