Snow in Beijing

Coming back from Tokyo last weekend, Beijing was raining so hard and freezing cold. The moist turned into snow the next day. It was very spring-like before. Coming back from a-month long trip, my flat smelled awful because all the windows were locked.

I started to scrubb the toilet, shower area. Kneeling on the floor and wipe clean every inch of the kitchen area. Down almost a bottle of bleach in every drainage. Shut the bathroom sink, leave the used tea leaves on top of the drainage cover, I also tried the used coffee powder. Nothing seems to work. I went to buy the strong air refreshener and odour obsorber, let's hope it is going to work today.

Coming to the office and complaining this to my Beijing colleagues, he explained that is because the drainage pipe was old and the valve was damaged. Also, the heating only worse the rotten egg smell in a confined environment. No one really know what to do with it.

I was actually living in the very expensive apartment, which has 24-hour doorman, bright and airy hallway, well-managed communal area. Most of the residence are foreigners or wealthy locals. All these give me a very good sense of security. My new flat is in between the real local (no lift, nothing is managed) and super upscale residences. There are lifts, with survalliance camera. The doorman sometimes disappears, definitely not 24 hours. And he doesn't care who is in or out of the building. My neighbours are very native. Once getting out of this apartment complex, there are lots of filthy-looking labour workers.

I worry about my personal security when coming home late from work , I worry about getting breakins. I am slightly getting more relax about my new flat now (apart from the funny odour), though I still carry my valuables with me at all time. I sleep fully dressed, also sleep right next to my passport and wallet. I check windows twice before taking a shower or going to bed.