First impressions

Beijing airport, 25ºC, overcast

It really hit me that I was going to China when I set foot in the departure gate for my flight to Beijing. Virtually everyone who was crowded in the gate was chatting in Chinese; virtually everyone was Chinese. There were more people at the gate than seats, giving a very crowded feel: this is how I imagine China to be – crowded. On the flight, I had the pleasure of meeting two university students (from Hunan and Chongqing) who had just completed a year’s study in Strasbourg. Thus began a long conversation in French! One told me that her nickname was Zhuzi (bamboo!). They helped me with some Chinese phrases, and every time a stewardess passed by with drinks, I asked for something different (shui, pingguo zhi, cheng zhi).

On arrival, the whole body of passengers sprung to life, eager to be the first to get off the plane. As I made the long walk to immigration, I noticed a TV promoting the World Cup in South Africa – the first sign of something universal that bridges cultures. At the immigration desk, I was intrigued by the instant feedback display that allowed passengers to describe their level of satisfaction with the immigration officer. I had never passed through immigration so quickly, but held back my impulse to select “very satisfied”, wanting to acquaint myself with the culture before interacting with it.

I was met by a member of the Duke programme once I had passed through customs, and as I waited for a few other students to arrive, I observed the soft hum around one of the largest airports in the world. Airport employees were calmly directing passengers, moving trolleys and tending to flowers. Two policemen were patrolling side by side, their arms and legs moving in tandem, as though their training required it. Nothing seems so different thus far…