While Beijing has many cool places, streets, alleys and ‘hutongs’ to explore, Wangfujing Street is probably one of the city’s most famous markings on the map. This well-known shopping street only one metro stop away from Tiananmen Square and has many shops and malls for both tourists and locals to enjoy. I, however, do not care much for shopping. Just west of the main shopping street, there’s a hutong called...

Luck. It’s a funny concept that bears more meaning for some than it does for others. On the one hand, it can be used to evaluate certain events, which may lead people to think they are lucky, or not. On the other hand, however, luck can be a magical concept that people may try to influence. But no matter how look at it, the use and perception of luck is always culturally determined. Thus, its uses only makes sense within a...

Well, my week in Beijing is over and I’m back safely in Hong Kong. I had the most incredible time last week, though, and that’s why I will be sharing some of Beijng’s moments with you in the coming time. This first post is about how much you can eat in the morning when all the food is good… and free. I would like to dedicate this post to my dad; even though he probably can’t read a word that’s here, he...

I’ve been on exchange in Hong Kong for well over 2 months now; about time I got out of there! Today I arrived in Beijing, the capital city of China, for a ‘business trip’. Got a flight at 10.30 AM from Hong Kong Airport (made it just in time, as was to be expected), and checked in at the Grand Millennium Beijing at about 3PM. And I can tell you, it is awesome! And it’s free. Write a paper, win a trip So, how did I...

Stel je voor… je bent op uitwisseling in Hong Kong, speelt een potje basketbal, blokkeert een pass, en nog geen half uur later word je door de ambulance goed en wel afgeleverd bij de spoedeisende hulp. Dit overkwam mij op 17 september 2012 en hieronder kun vind je het resultaat van een nachtje pure verveling en niet kunnen slapen. En wellicht een stukje geweldig leedvermaak voor jullie. Mijn excuses voor de soms slechte...

Chanting is the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two pitches. In fact, the chant is the predecessor of the song like we know now, however, the technique itself is still actively used in some modern music styles. Reggae and rap music are good examples of this. A few months ago, I was introduced to music style of chanting for the first time as well, through a special man whom I met at street...

If you can, imagine for a second that things went very bad for you recently and now you’re homeless, addicted to drugs and it looks like you have nowhere to turn to. Where do you go? As opposed to what many people think, the next step is not directly confined to a lonely life on the streets. Quite the contrary; in Rotterdam alone there are already many places you can go to for help and (meaningful) daytime activities. Of course, DPK...