Call it Beijing, call it Peking, call it whatever you want – I call the city my 2nd home. Since graduating from college way back in ’08, I’ve mostly been living here in the Chinese capital. I’ve had ups and downs here, and my relationship with the ‘Jing is definitely a love\/hate one at times. On one hand, it’s the cultural center of China, with history, music, art, sports, food, and everything in between; on the other, it’s developing at breakneck speed, demolishing old neighborhoods and the traditions that come with them in favor of glitzy high-rise apartments and mega-malls. On one hand, there are the many parks, hiking options, and incredible sights; on the other, there’s horrific air pollution, sand storms, and a sweaty concrete jungle in the summer. On one hand, I’ve met so many amazing people here through the years from all around the world; on the other, people tend to be rude, pushy, and agitated – surely brought on by the never-ending traffic jams, massive crowds everywhere you go, and a rising cost of living that has made life more difficult for those on the lower end of the economic spectrum.<\/p>\n