Student name: Mr. Avishay Peres
Nationality: Isreal
Time in
Global Exchange Center: From Apr. 11, 2011
One of the main differences that I have experienced so far - is in the food.
The Israeli kitchen is NOTHING alike the Chinese.
For the past few months I have been eating so much every day, all day – but somehow dropped more than 10Kg. The reasoning for that is..well..the food.
As Israeli cuisine lies more on Dairy, pastries and bread to its varieties, the Chinese kitchen contains almost none of which. Chicken, beef, pork (yes, I know, it's not kosher) combined with all kinds of beans and grain – are the main materials of the Chinese kitchen. Well, not "Chinese kitchen", but rather "Beijing Kitchen".
It seems that there's no such thing as "Chinese kitchen", as China is so big, vast and multi-cultured, that each region has its own way of "kitchen".
What Israelis know as "Chinese food" is in fact Cantonese food, the southern part of China.
When I came here, to Beijing – I saw nothing of the "Chinese" food that I was used to have back home. The only thing similar between the two (Israeli "Chinese" food and Beijing's food) is the "Chicken and peanuts", or as they call it – Gong Bao Ji Ding (in American English, it is known as Kong Pao chicken). It is not made the same, but the materials are very much alike.
Personally, it is my favorite dish and I've been having it for about 3 times a week for the past 3 months – and I love every moment of it. It's like a party in your mouth…
Another thing that I found interesting – is the weather.
As an Israeli – "heat" is something that I know from close contact, and it is very difficult to challenge me in that area.
Here, for the first time in my life – I saw RAIN in July.
In Beijing, the rainy season is during the summer, which causes frequent nights of extreme humidity. During those moments, do yourself a favor, and find an air-conditioner to protect you.
Well, since it's raining, you're inside the house already, so it's doesn't really matter. The difference is – AFTER the rain.
Many times of which, the water cool off the atmosphere and a nice cool breeze is out on the loose, the kind you will never find in Israeli summer.
I like it when my Europeans classmates say "oh, it's so hot here", and then I think to myself - …meh… they haven't been in Eilat or the Dead Sea in August….Pfff…. Amateurs….
One thing is certain – although the Chinese do have their own celebrations and holidays, it seems that they are nothing like ours – in the sense of perception.
Most Israeli holidays bare with them a religious aspect and an in-house situation and people are more "committed" to it – thus leading to EMPTY streets during them.
In Beijing, there's no such thing as "empty streets". Trust me. Never.
What they call "empty" is quite crowded for us.
But it's fun – it makes the place feel alive all the time.
What I do look forward to, is the Chinese independence holidays of October.
I was told that the streets "go empty" on that time. It's not because people are in their homes – but rather go out travelling to distant areas.
....and me? I just want to have a good party.. And there are many good places to party in Beijing – but that's a whoooole different story to tell………….
