A white barbarian in China

To give some context;

I'm a 20-odd year old British white male. Slim and short. I studied computer science in the UK. I came to China after recieving invitations from many Chinese friends I met back home. The visa process was easy and affordable, and done locally to where I live.

I'm sipping wine and browsing on my Chinese conn!

Some observations to get this started;

1) Chinese wine is really cheap, and really strong. It's not the same kind of strong-taste kick that we get from our western spirits, but the alcohol content is definately up there. Whatever, it's a lot of bang for the buck.

2) Hangovers are quite unknown, I've had a fair bit to drink since I've got here - and been with many Chinese that do - but hangovers don't seem commonplace like back home. I believe this to be a difference in the fermentation style of the alcohol (been done in rice).

3) Many cigarette styles and prices to choose from, ranging from 20p/32c to £10/$17.

4) People spit all the time, everywhere - even the women.

5) The food is fantastic. I will stress that a lot of the meat quality has been arguable - but what they do with it,for what they charge, is magical. I've tried many foods I wouldn't have dreamed of trying back home (but no dog, not yet anyway).

6) I've been here 10 days, and the first 10 days of my life over the past 2 years without weed (or even smelling it).

7) I arrived in an 'international city', and saw a fair few other white guys. I didn't see a single black, and I haven't seen a black since leaving the UK. Since arriving at my final destination I've seen one other white - a French man - who spoke nor Chinese nor English. As a result of this; people stare at me constantly (in anything from superise to hate to admiration).

8) I don't speak much Chinese, and have met only few English speakers. Luckily, my host and friend is fluent in both English and Mandarin.

9) I've had much success with long meditation sessions since arriving - I would attribute this to excitement, stress, and eating better.

10) Most of the toilets require you to crouch. Although, I've stayed in 4 different hotels and none of the toilets in those had that requirement. The hotels were excellent value, and felt very high-class.

11) There is an abundance of modern supermarkets and shopping centres.

12) They're building everything, everywhere - constantly.

13) The Chinese girls are very interested in me.

14) The more I use chopsticks, the more I love them. Not that I don't miss a knife and fork.

15) The roads seem like utter madness, but I haven't seen any accidents or someone getting hurt. My friend seems to manage driving round their insane roads quite easily.

16) I've done a lot alone, and feel pretty safe. Most people are very helpful, kind, and welcoming. I don't understand Chinese so there's always the chance people are saying racial slurs to me.. (blue eyed barbarian?).

Questions, advice, anything?