sky ENVY
  • City Guides
  • Travels
    • Asia
      • China
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Malaysia
      • Philippines
      • Singapore
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • California
      • DC
      • New York
      • Peru
      • Seattle
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Croatia
      • Czech Republic
      • Denmark
      • Germany
      • France
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Italy
      • London
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
    • Middle East
      • Israel
      • Jordan
      • United Arab Emirates
  • Hotels
    • Cruise
  • About
    • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Print Shop
Recent Posts
  • Elegant Seaside Escape at the Gulf of Oman
    • April 12, 2023
  • Beach, Trail, San Diego
    San Diego in a Day: How to see the best of San Diego in 24 Hours
    • December 4, 2022
  • Santorini, Cocoon Suites, Cave Hotel, Luxury
    Luxurious Cave Suites at Cocoon Suites Santorini
    • August 10, 2021
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Pinterest
San Francisco
Sky Envy

A Wanderlust Photo Diary

Sky Envy
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
Beyond Beijing
Total
2
Shares
0
0
2

Beijing, China

Beijing

It was the first day of Spring, year 2010 and was raining as we got out of our van. I thought to myself, this is it, the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s greatest sites, and I am about to climb it.I was excited but at the same time, disappointed that it was raining and it didn’t stop. I forgot how many steps I climbed but it got harder as the whole thing was enveloped into thick fog.


Beijing March 2010

 

Beijing March 2010

 

Beijing March 2010

As of 2010, the whole of mainland was under Internet censorship, at least that’s what the guide told us. I couldn’t get my 3G to work on my phone, couldn’t update my Facebook status, or send an email to my parents back home. They blocked all mobile online access, even for tourists. She said only ages 18 and over are able to go online and that’s when you use pay-internet service booths. This was very hard for me to understand.

Our guide was in her mid 20s, was first of 2 children. She later on told us that her parents tried to hide her sister because of China’s one child policy. I couldn’t remember much of her story, I was too culturally overwhelmed, and couldn’t get over the thought of not having siblings to play with, not because it was a choice my parents made, but because it was the law.

Ever since I was younger, I have been exposed to how people fight for their freedom and for equality. I have learnt in school about this type of government but seeing it first hand made me more aware how lucky I am. I may have stayed only a few days but to me it felt like seeing these people in a different light. Scratching Beijing beyond its touristy surface.

  Follow Sky Envy: Bloglovin' / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest
Total
2
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 2
Related Topics
  • Beijing
  • Great Wall
Previous Article
Versailles
  • Paris

Lost in Versailles

  • October 8, 2013
  • Sarah
View Post
Next Article
Grasse France
  • Day Trip
  • Nice

Parfum et Parfumeries

  • November 6, 2013
  • Sarah
View Post
You May Also Like
Great Wall of China
View Post
  • China
  • Day Trip

Autumn in Beijing

  • Sarah
  • December 14, 2017
View Post
  • China

Shanghai Spring Showers

  • Sarah
  • May 28, 2015
View Post
  • California
  • China
  • Friday Favorites
  • New York

Friday Favorites: City Views from the Top

  • Sarah
  • January 9, 2015
Beijing
View Post
  • China

Beijing

  • Sarah
  • September 4, 2014
Macao
View Post
  • China
  • Travels

Macao

  • Sarah
  • December 1, 2013
Hong Kong
View Post
  • China

Hong Kong

  • Sarah
  • November 10, 2013
Shanghai
View Post
  • China

Streets of Shanghai

  • Sarah
  • August 8, 2013
4 comments
  1. Pingback: Sky Envy:Streets of Shanghai - Sky Envy
  2. Pingback: Sky Envy:Hong Kong - Sky Envy
  3. Pingback: Sky Envy:Beijing - Sky Envy
  4. Pingback: Shanghai Spring Showers - Sky Envy

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sky Envy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Print Shop

Input your search keywords and press Enter.