5 things I wish I knew before coming to China

1.  Your dress size, pre, during and post trip will be drastically different. Just a heads up. And don't go looking for clothes with your US or UK size because this is China. The only country where a medium (ME) is an XXL overnight (not weight gain, just dress size thank goodness)! Advance notice.

2. Same goes for shoes. Make sure you have enough shoes suitable for the season (s) that you'll be in China. The Chinese typically have small feet so if you're like me (a good U.S women's size 9), don't be like me. A pair of Sketchers here cost me over $110. Sketchers!! Can you believe it??!! And I only bought them because it was the only brand that had my size. I tried to go shoe hunting but as soon as I mentioned my shoe size all the store owners (ok not all, THE majority) would blurt out laughing, saying to my face that it was not possible. One even told me that the only way I could get shoes my size in China was if I went to a factory and placed an order for customized shoes and stood by as they were made! The cheek of it all!

3. Things here are not as cheap as they seem. Yes, I know. You exchange money. You feel like the richest person in the world. You feel like the Taj Mahal should be your's by birthright. And everything is sooo cheap!! And you have so much money to blow!!!
Ha.
It's an illusion.
I hope you read this before you get TOO carried away. Things here (especially clothes) may seem cheap by China standards or in RMB but convert to USD or whichever major currency you prefer and compare the quality you're getting and what you're paying for it here versus anywhere else. You will be shocked. Stopped dead in your tracks. Stone cold. I guarantee you. Or your money back.

4. I wish I had thought to pack up basic medication and first-aid as I knew I should have. I cannot stress this point. When it comes down to medication and first-aid essentials, trust what you know.

5. I wish I had a heads up on just how 'peculiar' the Chinese are when it comes to an encounter with a black person. I still wish I knew how to deal with it but I don't. This is not a negative thing per say, it's just that for the first time in my life I have come into direct contact with racism, and it burns. And there are those instances of just plain curiosity. Again I cannot generalize as I have had a wonderful experience here with good Chinese friends. But I do wish I had a heads up. So if you identify as Black/African/African-American, please, brace yourself and figure a strategy for dealing with it.

There we go, my top 5 things I wish I knew before coming to China.