November 15 is a special day across northern China…all heat is officially turned on. Many places (offices, restaurants, apartments, etc…) do not turn the heat on until November 15. There are exceptions, especially in new apartments that cater to foreigners.
It’s been averaging the high 40s here over the past few weeks…now, highs are in the 30s. That’s during the day…nights have been below freezing. Imagine not having heat. It’s not fun.
All of China does not even have heating systems. There is a line (not sure where it starts and ends). All cities below that line don’t even have heating. Of course, you can purchase your own space heater or AC/Heat combo appliance if you’d like.
It is amazing how some things we give for granted, like going to the basement to turn on the heat (or have a temperature sensor to take care of it) are not such all around the globe.
I guess it makes sense in terms of overall energy consumption… but it’s not nice in terms of personal freedoms & choice. Not to mention the nastiness of being cold (and I can tell a thing or two about that).
While in school, I rented a house off campus that wasn’t insulated. My roomate and I barely had money for rent and a bit of food (mac and cheese most times, and the ever popular ramen noodles), so we didn’t turn on the gas. Instead we used the fireplace. Over the winter we burned everything that former tennants had left in the basement – old books, a burlap bag of potatoes, an old kitchen countertop, even an old armchair. Notebooks were used for kindling. I learned to get dressed under the covers in bed. I don’t miss those days at all.
Mike – I sure hope things warmed up and that you found some way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Let us know when you are in town again. Jim
Mike,
I ran across your blog in my non-stop research on China since my visit in October. I have no idea what search I ran that it came up on though.
Glad I found it, will check it out to see whats going on and what you’ve been doing.
Glad the heats on, hope you had a good Thanksgiving. Frank
Nice site keep it up!
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