China 101

Hmm…how to describe my first 24 hours in China? Unnerving? Overwhelming? New, exciting, and awesomely unique and different from America in every way?

No. The United States of China would be more accurate. Four hours of delays, 23 hours of plane travel, three countries, and roughly 9000 miles later, I land in Shanghai: a Chinese oasis of Western commercialism, Western languages, and—unfortunately—Western price tags.

My first meal in China? Chocolate and whipped cream crepes (a la Max Brenner’s in NYC yummmmm) at a place called Abbey Road.

My first entertainment in China? Streaming in College Gameday to watch Lee Corso make a fool of himself in front of crowds of drunk, obnoxious football fans—airing live from Atlanta, no less.

My first purchase in China? A Budweiser.

My first business patronage in China? A sports bar run by a Texan called “Bubba’s” that also, coincidentally, streams in college football games during the fall.

So, here I am, my first day in China, sitting in a bar adorned with deer heads, Texas flags, and a classy sign that reads “Guys: No Shirt, No Service. Girls: No Shirt, Free Drinks,” watching the UGA/OK State game with a bunch of UGA fans clad in red and black—most of whom were cheering on the Dawgs with the same familiar southern twang that I never expected to hear in China.

…I’m a little befuddled here. Did I just spend the last 24 hours traversing mountain, ocean, tundra, and desert to end up back in Georgia? Not that I’m complaining. This Bubba’s place seems like a little piece of heaven right now—a nice transitional oasis that will help me transition easily from American culture to Chinese. This whole “living in China” thing is going to be a breeze, I think confidently to myself as I commiserate with a fellow UGA fan over the Bulldogs’ disappointing season opener—in this quaint little sports bar in Shanghai.