Summer Lovin'

In China, May 1 is a magical day. Not only is it the national Workers' Day celebration, but it is also the symbolic start of summer, much as Memorial Day is in the U.S. Before May 1, it might be 85 degrees out but everyone will still be wearing boots, long sleeves, and jackets. After May 1, even 75 degree weather is deserving of a pastel hued skirt and a puffy blouse.

In addition to the freedom to wear weather-appropriate clothing, there is much to love about summer in Jinan. First of all, there are the famous Jinan mosquitoes.


Larger and noisier than your average American mosquito, Jinan mosquitoes are both plentiful and skilled. No matter though, these clever insects also offer a golden opportunity. I am referring, of course, to the requisite mosquito net that is hung over every single bed in town. Far from being a nuisance, the mosquito net is effective at keeping unwanted guests off of your bed, and I personally enjoy the way in which it makes me feel like a princess sleeping under a graceful canopy of tulle.

Summer in Jinan also marks the beginning of the wet season. While I went my first six months in town without ever needing an umbrella, the past few weeks have been marked by torrential downpours and violent thunderstorms. Our campus has the added advantage of turning into a major tributary to the Yellow River during such storms. Students and faculty alike are forced to don rubber flip-flops and wade through ankle deep streams in order to get from one place to another. This water is teeming with plastic bags, dirty chopsticks, used wrappers of all kinds, and anything that happened to be on the tires of the many cars that drive through campus. Because of this, I have been cautioned to wrap my feet in plastic if I have any open wounds.

To the many pleasures of warm weather, Chinese men have also added that of seeing them stroll around shirtless. Indeed, sans-top is the preferred attire for enjoying barbecue.


And just when you think things can't get any better, consider this. The cold beverage of choice in the summertime is a large bottle of beer, to be enjoyed at any time of day.

Let the good times begin.