China
July is like my travel month this year because I went out of the country twice during this time. From June 17 to July 2, I was in China and from July 13 to 17, I was in Korea. I will have a separate entry for the Korean trip. If you have read my previous entries, you will know the reason.
I was not really excited about going to China because of the tensions between that country and my country, the Philippines and how it may affect my work. I went to China to attend a seminar for ASEAN journalists and prior to leaving, I was worried that I might not be able to file stories while I'm there since a lot of people say, the Chinese government is strict. Apart from that, the time I will be spending in China is supposed to be when I will be getting my visa for my trip to Korea. Even with those concerns in my head, I decided to go to China because, well, it's for work and I am so glad I went on that trip.
Here are the reasons:
1.I learned a lot. I did not just learn about the business environment in China and in what areas the country would want to attract investments. I also found out that many Chinese people are nice, despite stories I heard that many are rude and even as there is a territorial conflict between China and where I'm from.
2. I got to visit places I did not even know about before. We stayed in Nanning in Guangxi most of the time, but we also went to other cities in that region such as Qinzhou, Fang Chenggang, Chongzuo. We also stayed in Jinan and my favorite among all the cities we went to, Qingdao, located in Shandong province.
Qingdao is where Chinese electronic appliance firm Haier Group's headquarters is located and the place where Tsingtao beer was founded.
I liked Qingdao because of the cold weather, the nice European inspired structures as well as the tourist-friendly people. I am even thinking of going there again in the future.
3. I made new friends, not just from China but from other ASEAN countries as well. Many if not all of them said that when I visit their country, they will show me around. I told them to come to the Philippines too.
4. I bought new stuff which were very, very affordable. H&M was on sale while I was there so I got tops which were only worth P350. And I was also able to buy dresses from Chinese stores for only P280. How can you not buy when prices are that low?
China was never on my list of must-see countries but after going there, I told myself that some revisions probably need to be done. I still haven't seen Beijing and Shanghai and I wouldn't mind going back to Qingdao. China should be part of that list.