04/19/2026
Had a great trip catching up with friends in China and Taiwan. Exactly 20 years ago this week, I was biking through Yunnan when an SUV hit me head-on and broke my femur — which is why I ended up living in Asia.
China has improved in some ways (less honking and spitting, more EVs, quieter in places, still amazing cheap food and hotels), but it feels much stricter and less foreigner-friendly now. Most English teaching jobs disappeared after COVID, foreign bars and music scenes have died in smaller cities, and the VPN situation is more annoying than ever. Getting a driver’s license or doing simple things are difficult as usual.
I generally like Taiwan anyway but its even better now since China went like N. Korea. Free internet, friendlier vibe, more international crowd, and less stress. No random urine tests or fear of getting jailed for side a side teaching job.
I got some closure on the trip and I’m over the bitterness from before. I’ll probably visit China again for friends, but living or guiding tours there doesn’t appeal anymore. Too many headaches.
I've got some back problems and not too optimistic about doing ebike tours in El Salvador but I'll still go back. I'm thinking of planning to split time between 6–7 months of tours in Colorado and winters somewhere warmer like Taiwan or El Salvador. I might do tours but more looking into more of import/export like some of friends.
Overall, China has changed a lot in the last 10–15 years. It used to be wild and full of optimism. I'll still visit in the future since I paid a bunch of the 10 year visa but it would be tough to live there. It was fun traveling there though and seeing people I've known for 20 years.
