First impressions of China in Hekou

I had done it - I had walked into China 🇨🇳😁

A place that had always intrigued me, that I knew very little about, and that was intimidating me as well. Well, going out of one's comfort zone is supposed to be a good thing, right?

I immediately felt as if I had stepped into a different world, and I realize now that the different alphabet plays a major role in this, because I am unable to read any of the signs I see on the streets. I received only a few stares when I walked through the streets of Hekou, but I had expected it to be much more than what I experienced.

I felt a bit overwhelmed, so I walked to the shores of the Red River, sitting down on a shaded bench in a little fitness park, and looked over to Vietnam on the other side of the river. What the heck was I even doing?? After I calmed down a little, I realized how hot it was - 28 degrees! I found a stall that offered some fruity waters, and after I had ordered my Maracuja water, the friendly attendant wished me well by saying "Welcome to China" with a big friendly grin on his face.

Honestly, I think those were the only words in English that he knew, but they were oh so welcome to hear. I felt I was off to a good start!

I had about an hour to spare until my train departed, and still had to purchase my tickets. So I flagged down a taxi and told him "Hekoubei" - Hekou North Train Station. He immediately headed towards the station, but for some reason he stopped at every woman that stood by the roadside, yelling things I didn't understand at them. I can only hope they told him to keep going, which he always did sometime later. After three such stops, we arrived, and I got to test if I had set up my Chinese payment apps correctly when he refused my cash. But everything worked out 😊Read more