Passersby Beware!

This has got to be a safety hazard! Never a dull moment...

Post-Apocalyptic Harbin

Some days the heaviness of the air pollution give Harbin an almost beautiful, post-apocalyptic feel. Except, of course, that life goes on, albeit with a somewhat noticeable uptick in the number of people wearing face masks.

Compare and Contrast

The view of the city from my apartment building on a nice day. (Air pollution readings in the 40s - the 60s or 70s at the worst.)

The view of the city from my apartment building on a day when the air pollution is off the charts. (My app doesn't tell me the numbers after the pollution readings pass the 500 mark.) 

Exercise with Chinese Characteristics

Of all the tai chi groups that practice in my apartment complex, this one is far and away my favorite! Tai chi with swords? Sign me up!

It's A Car's World

I'm enjoying a car-free life myself, but the car certainly does seem to be king here in Harbin - this is actually one of the less ridiculous examples of sidewalk parking I've seen here in the city. So much craziness every day...

Fall in Harbin

This was the view looking north from my apartment complex a couple of days ago. Grim and getting grimmer as the weather cools off. We're having a lovely day today - air pollution readings in the 40s - but they've generally been over 200 lately, and often over 300 or 400. I'm told this year the city is gradually turning on the heating plants - hence the slowed plunge into air pollution - but all the same it's going to get worse the closer we get to November. Welcome to fall in Harbin!

The National Bird of China

The national bird of China: The crane! (Har har, I know!) But seriously, I'm not sure you can go anywhere in China and not see a crane (or ten) somewhere nearby. I spotted this one on Zhongshan Road not far from where I have Chinese lessons.

Beware the Barcode

This is a random picture to have up, but I was reminded again today of what has turned out to be a surprisingly frequent occurrence in my life here: The torn (or missing) barcode! You wouldn't think this would be such a big deal. In North America if a barcode's missing the cashier either manually enters the price or calls back to the relevant department for the barcode. Not here in Harbin though! Here you either abandon the item, wait for someone from the front of the store to wander back and find an item with the barcode still attached, or go back for the missing barcode yourself (generally while the cashier makes everyone in line behind you wait, 'cause that just makes you feel even more awesome about the whole situation!). So, learn from my failings and when you're in the supermarket check every item for a barcode! You won't regret it!

Airport Shuttle

Harbin's Taiping International Airport is quite a ways out of the city, so taking a taxi isn't terribly practical unless you're traveling with a lot of luggage. Fortunately, there's an airport shuttle with four lines that pick up and drop off at various points in the city. I'm lucky enough to have a stop not too far from my apartment complex, so for ¥1 ($0.16) I'm able to catch a bus to the shuttle stop and for another ¥20 ($3.25) I'm able to get out to the airport. The shuttle drops off and picks up at the departures and arrivals doors of Taiping's domestic terminal.

On the way to the airport you pay the driver just before boarding, but leaving the airport for the city you pay at a kiosk located next to the doors out to the buses. (You can't miss it leaving domestic arrivals baggage claim - the signs will be for "BUS," but lead to the shuttles. Make sure you get on the right line for where you're headed in the city!) I think there are plans for the Harbin Metro's Line 5 to connect to the airport, but given that we only have Line 1 up and running right now it might be a while before that's up and running. Until then the shuttle is the most convenient 'economy' way of getting to Taiping Airport!