Profile
From the runway to class
By Todd Balazovic (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-03-05 11:40
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Questions & Answers
METRO: People are usually running to Beijing or away from something back home - Which are you?
A: Running to Beijing, because I have always been interested in Chinese culture. When I was little, two of my father's friends used to tell me I look like a Chinese minority. Since I was 7 years old, I've been very interested in China and spent much of my childhood reading about this country. I don't think I look too Chinese now.
METRO: What do you hope to get out of our stay in China's capital?
A: I came here wanting to learn the language and over the course of four years have done so. I am also doing many things besides my studies, such as photo sessions, and have managed to make many connections in China. I hope to start my own company or work for an important company.
METRO: What do you hope to bring back?
A: Well right now I am the official spokesperson for a company named after a famous composer, Verdi, but the Chinese name of the company is Fuerdi. It is a Chilean wine company that imports popular Chilean wines to China.
METRO: Where do you usually hang out? How does it differ from back home?
A; I don't hang out too much, but spend more time in the gym. I go to Sanlitun's Village and The Place. Like all girls I love shopping. Other than that, I am usually outside. I go to the parks, I go skating, I use my bicycle.
In my hometown, I do the same activities. But at home my dad is crazy about gardening, so every weekend he stuffs all the kids into the car and takes us out to a villa so that we can work in the garden and grow plants and vegetables.
METRO: Do you consider yourself part of the city or an observer?
A: In the beginning I was a total outsider. I didn't speak Chinese and I was alone. I didn't know anyone, so I was a little scared coming to China. But I started getting used to it. I guess the fact that I was totally alone in the beginning helped me to become integrated into the city much faster.
I have lots of foreign friends now, but they came after. But now I am completely part of the city. I may look Western, but now I feel if not 100 percent, 85 percent Chinese.
METRO: Do you have any Chinese friends, and how are they different from your Western friends?
A: I have many Chinese friends; they are similar but very different at the same time. They both dress differently from each other. Chinese people tend to dress much more comfortably, where my Western friends will try to look good even if it hurts.
Also, I love studying with my Chinese friends because when we get together we actually study. But my Chinese friends are much more shy, are not quite as crazy as my Western friends. Both are equally good to me.
METRO: What's your favorite characteristic of Beijing?
A: I like that Beijing people tell you to your face what they think of you. It's more characteristic of northern Chinese. Sometimes that can be very bad. Sometimes you look good and they tell you look good, but sometimes you look bad and they tell you that you look bad. Normally if you ask for their opinion, there is a 98 percent chance that they will be honest.
METRO: What's your least favorite part of Beijing?
A: Angry taxi drivers. More so, what they say when they are angry. Other than that, Chinese people are always inviting you into their homes or out to eat and sometimes this can be annoying.
METRO: In terms of local slang, what is your favorite one-liner?
A: I like one word: gemen'er. It's like brother, or bro. For girls, it's jiemen'er. If you take a taxi driver and say "hi gemen'er", he will be so shocked, but in a good way.
METRO: Is Beijing going to be part of your future or part of your past?
A: Beijing is essentially part of my past, present and future. Past because I've been here for four years, present because I live here and future because I plan on living here.
METRO: What's your Beijing fashion secret?
A: Vintage shops, because big brands are very expensive in China. One's not far from my university and they bring in European brands, which are not on sale in Europe. It also has really unusual, strange stuff which fit perfectly for me.
