Day Four Rocked

Today’s entry is short. What you really need to know is that I now have reliable internet access including my very own Chinese phone number, I bought groceries, and I learned that I do not need an ID to come and go from campus.

My friend Deng Wei (pronounced like don--with a silent ‘n’--way) walked me to the local cell phone store and helped me buy a Chinese SIM card for my phone. I paid about $15USD for the card and unlimited everything for a month. As with most things in Beijing, we waited in line for about 45 minutes to accomplish the purchase and installation of the card. However, it was time well spent. I learned that Deng Wei is very interested in writing centers on college campuses. She worked in one during her undergraduate education and is enthusiastic about the possibilities of peer tutoring and expanding the number of writing centers available at Chinese universities. I encouraged her to come to the U.S. for her PhD. She is fluent in four languages and is super bright and kind. As Eddie Izzard once said, “How do you fit that all in one brain?”

During our conversation on the walk to the cell phone store, Deng Wei showed me the way to two local supermarkets. When I asked about needing an ID to leave campus, she told me that she might be asked for ID, but no one would ask me. I expressed disbelief and Deng Wei responded, “If the police ask you for ID, they have to talk to you in English. They don’t want to do that, so they won’t ask.” Good to know. Forget getting an ID. I’ll just waltz through the gates with my privilege flag flying.

Today was a banner day. Because a fellow human was willing to spend two hours with me, I was able to buy groceries, gain reliable internet access, and learn new things about being American in China. Friends are truly the best.