Out with the cold

I’ve been so busy recently I pretty much forgot about my blog. Over the last few months I’ve had a lot on my plate and trying to manage so many things at the same time pushed the blog off the table. But with the Chinese New Year finally giving me a chance to catch my breathe I’m able to post once more.

Don’t worry, this time I’m not gonna tell you how to take a shit, I thought how to take a piss in China would be more useful this time.

Step 1: Aim   Step 2: Release     Step 3: Walk away from the statue

Pretty simple. Huh!

Now that that’s done I’ll pass on some real good advice I’ve learned in China about how to keep warm during the winter here without spending thousands of RMB on electricity.

Most apartments in China are poorly made and it shows in winter. Their single pane windows and shitty insulation are a one way ticket to freezing your ass off, therefore, you need to deal with that first one method is to cover the windows with a heavy blanket but that blocks all the natural light and looks like shit. If your landlord permits you, you can redo the seals around the windows with a proper sealant. But if not I suggest duct tape around all the drafty edges. That will keep out the worst drafts. Do the same with your balcony doors. Also make sure the hole in the wall for the air con tubing is sealed most of them the hole is drilled way too large. My first apartment in China had a couple bats crawl through the hole one day while I was out.

The next price of advice I recommend only if your gonna stay for more than one winter and that is buy a high quality duvet or quilt. I know that man-made 60-150RMB blanket looks good and the price is great but it won’t keep you warm. An all natural wool or goose down quilt one is way warmer, lighter weight, and will keep the heat in especially when coupled with an electric blanket. I turn the electric blanket on just before I sleep and have it turn off after an hour and I’m toasty warm until the next morning. I haven’t used the air con all winter which saves me hundreds each month in electricity.
These two tips pretty much anyone can afford and you will be way more comfortable. If you happen to make a bit more money and want to stay even warmer in your office or living room buy heated flooring panels they run about 400-600 per panel and 3-4 panels can cover most peoples living room or office floor. And they use only a quarter the electricity of one small air con. Don’t buy them at a Chinese market or store, go to where the Japanese and Koreans buy them its much cheaper. Later this month I’m planning to cover my entire computer room and bedroom floor with them. My sister can buy her own.

I hope this article was some help to those of you freezing in your Chinese apartments. This article doesn’t apply to those expats living in the villas with central heating. Fuck you, you lucky bastards!

Posted in China General, Life