Joanna's blog

When I think of Beijing in November and December, I think cold! I quit my part-time job working for New Oriental in October, as I was tired of rushing about all over the place at the weekends. However, it was a great way to see lots of places in Beijing, and every week would be another 'adventure' trying to find the place where the centre was. Not to mention meeting Chinese English teachers who were usually very friendly. So one dark windy autumn evening as I was heading home through the traffic and the leaves I just decided no more. This was the time when I developed a really bad cold and got acquainted with Chinese medicine.

Many people say that autumn is the best time in Beijing, because the skies are clear and the temperatures are lower after the baking summer. I also like autumn because it's melancholy and this time was mostly just about settling in with life at school while the days got cooler.

However, holidays were just around the corner! Some time in November or December you'd notice Christmas trees going up outside shopping centres, or other Christmas decorations. Of course, China doesn't celebrate Christmas, but it doesn't stop them decorating or playing Christmas music. I think it's more of a shopping thing.