What Living in China Actually Does to You 🇨🇳 (Ft @RafaGoesAround)

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:01]Hello everyone.

[00:00:03]So, the question today is did China change me for the better or for the worse?

[00:00:10]You actually might be surprised on my answer to that question. But today, we are going to discuss how China changed our lives.

[00:00:22]I've been living here for 8 years.

[00:00:24]And also, I'm not alone in today's discussion. I have got the most handsome Venezuelan guy you've probably ever seen in your entire life. That's probably the nicest introduction I've ever gotten [laughter] on video. Thank you. I was thinking, should I be sarcastic or nice? So, I went with nice.

[00:00:40]>> I'll I'll take [laughter] a leap of faith.

[00:00:41]So, yeah. I just want to like how long have you been living here? It's been 11 years already.

[00:00:46]>> years. See? Okay. So, today I want to talk about like how China changed us. We can anything that comes to your mind, please. You can say the good, the bad.

[00:00:55]We want all the details. All right. So, what's the first thing that pops into your mind? How did China change you in the past 11 years? Well, in many ways. I would say probably the main thing are habits. Mhm. Like how I become more like a organized person or a punctual person.

[00:01:13]Uh my eating habits have changed as well. Ooh. Like you find definitely healthier food here.

[00:01:19]Uh they like to eat a lot of steamed food, vegetables. And that's something that I was not 11 years ago >> Yeah.

[00:01:26]>> when I first came here to China. Mhm. I used to eat a lot of processed food, a lot of sweet, a lot of sugar.

[00:01:32]>> Yeah.

[00:01:32]And Chinese people don't really enjoy this kind of food. They have a very delicious cuisine actually. Chinese cuisine is so extensive like you have all sorts of food. Yeah. So, I got into that. I started enjoying more eating vegetables, steamed food. And The vegetables definitely more flavored, right? Yeah. The way they cook vegetables here and food in general, the seasonings, everything tastes differently here. And it's so delicious.

[00:01:59]So, whenever I travel out of China and I don't have my Chinese food or local food, I actually miss it. So, yeah, eating habits was something that changed me a lot even physically. Okay. I lost a lot of weight while living here in China cuz yeah, I was eating more like on time. And that has a lot to do with the way I organize my daily life. I like to plan my days, my weeks, and my months.

[00:02:24]Um because that's the way China works, right? I don't know if you know, but China has these five-year plans Okay.

[00:02:31]>> that to organize and to plan their economy, their infrastructure, the way they're going to do things in a macro level or around the country. Yes. So, I was thinking, "Okay, if that works for China, it could work for me as well because actually that allows them to grow a lot like the way they have achieved so many things."

[00:02:49]>> Wow, so you really took something that big and like incorporated it into your own life.

[00:02:53]>> Yeah, I mean, the the way they're they're doing things definitely works.

[00:02:57]>> Like for me, I'm just like I walk after dinner. Like that's what I do differently, but you really like goes for it.

[00:03:03]>> Yeah, but I mean, that's somehow part of the Chinese culture, you know? In the morning, when you go to the park, you see all these elderly like exercising and being active. Yes.

[00:03:12]>> That is all part of a system. That's all part of a culture. It has a lot of to do with the the way they have been doing things for thousands of years.

[00:03:21]>> Yeah, okay. And you see that reflected in their culture, in the way they do things.

[00:03:25]>> So. Again, I I have analyzed through all this time. I'm I'm a very analytical person. So, I look at something, I see, "Okay, let's see the way they're doing things. If it works if it doesn't work."

[00:03:35]>> Yeah. And then I learn, I emulate, Mhm. and I keep what works for me as well.

[00:03:41]>> Okay. So, yeah, this kind of thing >> made you more responsible.

[00:03:46]In many ways, you could say yeah, yeah.

[00:03:48]In many ways. Um Okay. China has changed me in that way. By the way, we we're walking around in a where's this Nanto, right? This is Nanto Gu Chang, Nanto ancient town.

[00:03:58]>> and walking around here. And here, this is quite special place for me because I when I first came to China, this was basically an old village. It looked totally different from what you're seeing right now.

[00:04:09]And they decided to invest into this place and transforming into a cool cultural place where people can come and enjoy. And you have coffee shops, you have galleries, you have museums. Oh, very nice.

[00:04:23]>> So now you see travelers from all around China, all around the world coming to this place. And I like to bring my friends, that's why I brought you here today. So you have a nice taste.

[00:04:32]>> Of course, definitely.

[00:04:34]Uh content creators, we have a very nice community here in China, I believe. So yeah, this place is quite special and it's part of that evolution of the Chinese economy. When you see these places that seem to be forgotten a few years ago, but suddenly there's some investments. Uh the government is supporting the local um industries, Yeah. the local brands, and then you have local shops, you have museums or galleries. And they're all local people. They're people who own these small buildings, but they transformed them into a beautiful place, a blooming place where people come here to spend their money, to move the economy, to help local economy, and also to create a very nice place where people can come here, enjoy, spend their weekends, and It's really cool.

[00:05:21]Okay, so how China changed me, the first one that comes to my mind while we're walking is like the convenience, but it's not the good type. I feel like the convenience in China made me very lazy.

[00:05:31]Oh, really? How so?

[00:05:32]>> Like I the other day, it was cold in Kunming, and I sat on my couch. I was sick, so I talked to the doctor online. I ordered food, I ordered my medicine, everything to my door. I think I got up one time, maybe go to the bathroom and pick up my food, and that was it. And like now, if I have to wait longer than 5 minutes for a DD, I complain. Like it has made me, I don't know. And now, I can't really travel to another country that much. Oh, people, that's beautiful, these buildings. Like I can't really travel to another country because I become this really negative person. Like, really, we have to wait 10 minutes for a car? Where are the share bikes? Like, I need to carry cash with me now? So, I feel like that's how I feel like yes, it's probably not the best thing to complain about that, but yes, life in China is so convenient. And also, when you compare prices Yes.

[00:06:24]>> for uh this kind of service, like Uber, abroad Mhm. sometimes like five, 10 times more expensive for the same route, the same distance, the same quality of cars. So, it's like you you see like, oh, there's there's definitely a huge difference.

[00:06:38]So, you yeah, you somehow get spoiled here in China when you get used to like this kind of conveniences, as you say, like everything online. You do everything through your phone. So, yeah, I think it's a good thing that that allows you to invest more time in yourself, in your family, uh in your friends, socializing, enjoying life rather than just spending 1 hour going to the supermarket and doing these kind of things. Here in China, yeah, definitely convenience is is uh is a big thing, and we get somehow spoiled. When when I go back to my country and then you don't have all these kind of conveniences, like, ah.

[00:07:12]Like I remember the first time we met, we talked about electricity. Like in South Africa, we really have a very, very big problem about electricity.

[00:07:20]Yeah, tell me about it. Yeah, and like I want to know I feel like sometimes China uses It sounds weird, but it's like too too many lights. I'm like, can you give some of these lights to South [laughter] Africa?

[00:07:31]>> when I share these kind of stories on my Instagram of these light show in Chengdu, for example, it's quite famous.

[00:07:37]And they're like, what? What They don't save money on electricity? They don't care to spend that much money. And yeah, here definitely electricity is not an issue. Like they don't They have spare energy. Yeah.

[00:07:50]>> They're And the thing is The cool thing is like the source of most of these energies green source. They have solar panels all around the country. They have these wind energy uh plants all around the country. So, yeah, it allows to uh have a very stable electrical system, which is something we don't have. Like in Venezuela, we have the same problem.

[00:08:10]It's getting worse and worse, actually.

[00:08:12]And every time I talk to my family, they have these 2 3 hours a day blackouts, Yeah.

[00:08:18]>> which is horrible because I mean, you depend on electricity uh in many ways.

[00:08:22]But definitely that doesn't happen here in China. Sometimes I feel I feel bad showing all these videos of the a lot of lights everywhere. They're like, "Oh my god, we don't have electricity like >> dad just told me the electricity was off for 4 hours." Like not even any Can't even watch the TV.

[00:08:37]>> Africa also has kind of issues with Yeah, it's We literally have the same called load shedding. What's that?

[00:08:41]>> So, load shedding is like sometimes the government will just turn off electricity for like 4 hours every day.

[00:08:46]Oh.

[00:08:47]But they think it's okay because at least they tell you. But yeah, anyway.

[00:08:51]>> Yeah, here even in daytime, you can see these lamps. You see the lights on just because it's nice, because it's beautiful.

[00:08:58]>> Yeah. So, I mean, electricity here is not expensive, so they don't mind having all these signs on. And it's because somehow part of the culture, you know, these lamps are part of the Chinese culture. It looks nice. Yeah. Why not?

[00:09:10]It's not going to be expensive at all.

[00:09:11]So, Something I'm very interested to know is like the freedom of mind. I feel like China changed me a lot in a way I'm more relaxed because yes, I talk about safety a lot. Like it's nice to be woman alone in China feeling safe, but not just like the safety. The way that like now we can walk like this. If I was in my country, definitely people will stare more. Like judge, a little bit more judgy. Here, the other day I took a nap on the subway. I would have never. People were not staring at me like everyone is just minding their own business. Like So I feel like China really made me a very chilled person. Relax my mind.

[00:09:46]>> in in our countries like coming from Latin America where safety is a big issue. I would I wouldn't definitely dare to pop up my camera and start shooting or even holding my phone outside. You need to be careful where you're going to go. But even in first world countries like France, Spain, Italy or even the States when you are outside, you need to just always be aware of your surroundings, where you're going to go, if it's too dark, if there's people or not. So here you don't face that. Like you have your phone, you have your camera, uh have your watch, you have your microphone in here and that's a normal thing. It's a part of life.

[00:10:20]>> And you can wear something fancy if you want.

[00:10:22]>> And not only that, I will tell you something I really like about China and we're heading into that place.

[00:10:28]And it's green. I mean this city, even though it's super developed city with a lot of high rises and skyscrapers and artificial infrastructure, Yeah. we do have a lot of greenery and that's something I love about Shenzhen. I actually made a couple videos about parks in Shenzhen because they have plenty of parks everywhere and the number keeps growing and that is for the benefit of the people. Like people definitely when you work a lot, you also need spaces to go out and you know, like disconnect from reality and enjoy places or just taking a casual walk like we're doing right now and having all these trees, all these greenery all around feels like completely different. Like you can tell the difference between the place where we were a couple minutes ago and here. We suddenly came like kind of like a mini jungle.

[00:11:16]>> And I'm pretty sure if we turn there, it's going to be skyscrapers. Like it's just so many different Yeah, absolutely.

[00:11:21]So these kind of contrasts here in China are something I enjoy a lot and that's something like I live in a small town and I I come from a small town in Venezuela where yeah, you have parks, but you need to drive perhaps an hour to to reach like a place full of nature and trees.

[00:11:39]Whereas here, you just go to the next corner and then you're already going to find these kind of places where you see so much greenery and you can see kids, you see family enjoying their time.

[00:11:49]Yeah, like look Like this this two little kids >> just walk. Like I feel like in other countries, I would hold my kid very tight. Your kids sometimes run and I'm like, where are your parents? Are you here by yourself? Yeah, that's that's just crazy. You can see them all around and yeah, they they keep track of their kids. They're probably sitting down checking their phone, but the thing is they know nothing's going to happen to them. Nobody's going to take them.

[00:12:10]Nobody's going to steal their stuff. So there's that sensation of safety and security that I believe, having the chance to travel to many countries all around the world, you can only find here in China. Elsewhere in the world. I lived in the US before and it was a completely sensation. I was excited because it was the first country I lived out of my own country. But now compared to life standards here in China, if you ask me, would you go back to the States and live there?

[00:12:39]Definitely not. I wouldn't go back. I feel safer living there.

[00:12:42]Like while you're talking, you know what I realized?

[00:12:45]If people stare at us here and they you can see they want to ask you something, right? You can just feel. So in other countries, I will run away because I'm going to be like they're going to rob me, they're going to do something. But here, if someone's looking, I'm like, "Ni hao, hello." Like you want to because they're probably just scared.

[00:13:00]They want to take a picture and they're just shy and they don't want to invade your space. And that's something also super nice because yeah, as you say, they're simply curious about foreigners. Like they see like a different face. I think that happens less and less in big cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai or Beijing, but I don't know, probably in Kunming where you live, you probably see that more often than not. Uh but yeah, you still see in parks like these people passing by and they see, "Oh, he is he is a foreigner." and they look at you with this face of curiosity, but at the same time they're very friendly people. Like they are just super nice to you. If you approach them, ask a question, they try to use the limited English they might have or just use their phone for us translation. Which is that was people in the West feel like people in China very rude and I'm just like, have you ever been here even? You know, because as soon as you as you as soon as you have been here, you're like, oh, people are actually nice. Sorry to interrupt you, but this is the convenience I'm talking about. Like if we are in another country and I'm coming out of like a tourist attraction I'm like, where are the taxis? Where are the no taxis?

[00:14:03]>> And that's just that. And let me tell you something. Shenzhen was the very first city in the world to electrify 100% their taxi fleet. So, every single taxi in Shenzhen is an electric car.

[00:14:14]Every single public bus in Shenzhen is electric. So, they're not There's no pollution. Also, you feel like the city is very quiet just because of their electric cars. And something really cool that is happening a lot and you know, China open up if the country with this visa free policy to many nationalities.

[00:14:32]So, you can see here now more English signs. Come here. I'll show you this.

[00:14:37]This is Yeah.

[00:14:39]>> I speak your language. Yeah. And probably they do not, but they do have this device or their phone where they have a translator. They're willing to help you out with any sort of communication issues you might have.

[00:14:50]They accept WeChat Pay in Hong Kong, WeChat Pay, the international version, the Chinese version. So, they're trying to be more inclusive and then try to open more the city and the country in general to more foreign visitors. So, I really like this. This is something you didn't see 10 years ago when I first came here. So, I think you can perceive some evolution in the city.

[00:15:11]>> in Shenzhen? Always. I've been here like this.

[00:15:13]>> mind is probably one of the most shocked because probably I think Shenzhen is one of the places that grew so much in 10 years. I cannot imagine how it looked 10 years I'm telling you just this place here that we have behind us and we've been walking around. It looked completely different. It was an old village and I came here because actually I used to work nearby here. I used to work for a hotel it's not far from here and sometimes I came here just to walk around because this is one of the very few places here in Shenzhen where you see some power of a cultural connection to their identity. You can see the the the architecture, the art, the everything is somehow ancient. Yeah. And this is one of the few places you can find in Shenzhen here. So they took that opportunity to remodel it and transform it into this beautiful place you have right now. So just like this Shenzhen definitely has changed a lot. Like a lot of buildings, parks, highways, tunnels, bridges, you name it, Shenzhen definitely is a pioneer into this kind of evolution. So that's why Shenzhen is definitely my favorite city. I know you say Kunming is the best city in China to live. I like Kunming actually. But in my heart Shenzhen has a number one as a very livable city.

[00:16:23]>> be fun? I feel like one day we should have like the stand and we should have a debate.

[00:16:28]We should have a debate and we should let people decide and we bring videos and we bring PowerPoints and we bring up >> [laughter] >> That I would love to do that. Like you know when It's such a fun idea. When I bring friends here I always like to highlight the cool part of living in Shenzhen.

[00:16:43]>> Yeah. I don't know sometimes I feel for visitors Shenzhen might look like a dull city. I mean depending depending on your interests.

[00:16:50]If you like nature and mountains, a lot of culture, you might want to go to places like Guilin or Beijing. But Shenzhen has a very cool mix of all of these. You have beautiful beaches, you have this super modern city that is super convenient. So Shenzhen that's why for me it's number one. Okay. Debatable. Okay.

[00:17:10]>> [laughter] >> But also like I want to know your opinion on cameras. Like the privacy because well that's one of the most controversial topics on my channel and I think on most channels, right? Like now while we're walking, there are There's like what Look, 1 2 3 4 5 just five cameras.

[00:17:27]>> know if you see this this guy right here. The guy with the security guards in every public space. When we're walking, he he took a picture of us because we're filming. Yeah. That is something super normal here and living here for many years, you get used to that. So Cuz here, sorry, but you don't think about it, right? Like you scan a QR code. You just put in your phone number.

[00:17:48]The cameras are just here. It's not something you really think about.

[00:17:51]>> No, no, really and like no matter where you are this big system has access to all your information. What messages you send, the pictures you take, what you do, what you don't. But to be honest, for me I mean, I'm not doing anything wrong.

[00:18:06]So I don't really mind that people having access to my face or my phone or whatever I do because I know I'm a person who's doing the right things. So I have nothing to fear when it comes to this privacy each issue to be honest. So here in China, yeah, you have cameras everywhere. You scan your QR code. You give your phone. You have this old system, but in 11 years I've been here, it has never affected me in any way my daily life.

[00:18:35]In in the contrary, I feel safer. Again, you have cameras. So >> Because if something happens, you know how these people >> Yeah, you have no idea how many times I've heard like my friends they lost their phone or their camera or even the the the motorbike, the e-bike and because of the cameras they were able to find them, to track them down and find them and so it's a very positive thing having all these camera systems all around China. If you ask me, I I actually like that a lot.

[00:19:06]Yeah, it makes me feel safe as well as a woman to like walk around at 2:00 because Yeah, for you especially I a woman I think it gives you a lot of uh Yeah.

[00:19:16]safety feeling when you just just go around because you travel a lot around China as well, right?

[00:19:21]>> And like sometimes it's so nice. I'm on my cell. I've never been in that city and I just I don't even look at the time. If I want to go out, I just go out and I walk around just to explore the city. But you know, while we walking, I'm thinking about something.

[00:19:33]You know how China changed me in a bad way? I chew with my mouth open.

[00:19:39]Like I don't know about you, but in South Africa, if you chew with your mouth open, that's really rude. Like my mom will flick my mouth.

[00:19:45]>> Here is a normal thing. It's a normal standard.

[00:19:47]>> sometimes like the hot food is hot or spicy and I'm and I'm eating with my mouth open and I'm like, "Lizzie, what are you doing?"

[00:19:55]You know, I show you Now you mentioned something that you have changed or something that I have nothing to add but it's more positive thing. Yeah.

[00:20:04]E-bikes. Do you drive an e-bike back home? Yes. Okay. I don't know how are you complying with the rules, but here I believe that's something that should be more monitored. And I think they're in the process to regulating more and more because actually, if you ask me, like I drive on daily basis and On an e-bike?

[00:20:23]No, like my car. I drive my car and then when you go on the road >> Yeah. you see these e-bikes or these scooters, electrical scooters, everywhere and >> Especially these with the yellow hats.

[00:20:35]Yeah, they they tend not to follow the rules most of the time. Like when it comes to speed or the lane that they can use or even the place where they can park. I think something that's a place where China could improve Okay. more because yeah, it certainly affects you.

[00:20:53]When you walking around and you have these where like beep beep beep beep like believing the road belongs to them. Yeah. Uh that part is something that I don't really Yeah. uh like too much and I I I believe that's something that is changing quite a lot. I heard like from May 1st, wearing helmet while driving a scooter is mandatory. I don't know if you wear a helmet back home.

[00:21:16]>> No, actually I thought about getting an e-bike here in Shenzhen, but not to wear a helmet. You have to wear a helmet, and that's mandatory. And they're kind of monitoring these kind of things. Also with cameras. I've seen also drones. I saw this video where uh in these big crossings Yeah.

[00:21:34]They honk so they can pass.

[00:21:36]Um I saw this video where there is a big crossing in a big uh road in Shenzhen, and they have drones on top monitoring uh the people's behavior, like when they should cross, and and they have announcements. They have loudspeakers telling like, "Stop. Allow cars to pass, or allow pedestrian to pass." You mean the drones?

[00:21:57]>> Yeah, the drones do that. They're monitoring these kind of things, and I found that amazing. They're using technology to improve social behaviors that must be improved. You cannot justify the fact that people just drive uh like speeding up on a sidewalk, on a on a scooter, or don't have a helmet. These kind of things are things that should be improved, and they're working on that. So, this drone has like high-definition cameras.

[00:22:23]They're detecting people like here and there.

[00:22:25]Yeah, do you hear that?

[00:22:27]Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.

[00:22:28]It's like a little bit annoying, but I mean, it's been like that for ages here in China. But, these kind of things again, that should be improved, they're working on that, and I think that is uh slowly changing for the >> Oh, but it's still like a village residential area now, right?

[00:22:46]>> Yeah, the whole thing actually I think like two or three of the main streets of these ancient town are the ones that have changed the most. But, if you see there, we can just walk that way. You can have a taste off the Shenzhen from uh 40 50 years ago.

[00:23:05]>> Yeah, because for those of you don't know, like 40 years ago Shenzhen was like a fishing village, by the way.

[00:23:10]Correct. There was none of this. So, it it's growing a lot. Yeah. Now, more than ever, in a more organized way.

[00:23:23]You know, this is cool having trash cans everywhere. I don't know if you've been, like, for example, in Japan.

[00:23:27]>> Yes. You don't find trash cans anywhere.

[00:23:30]You have to carry your trash with you the whole time.

[00:23:33]No.

[00:23:35]You know, I think sometimes people find comparisons a little bit annoying, but I think comparisons are good to illustrate >> Oh, thank you.

[00:23:44]>> a society has reached some level of development. And here in China, you see things, and then it's it's very easy to go back to your country or whenever you have traveled to places, you can be like, "This was not like that Yeah.

[00:23:56]>> over there. This is the This is the way things should work. These are the way things should be, I think. Yeah, but that's what I'm saying. Like, for me, on my channel, I compare China to America a lot. And it's not for the reasons people might think.

[00:24:07]I do it because people have this image that America is great and China's horrible. So, I do it for the fact to show like America isn't all that great, and China isn't all that bad. That's the reason why I Correct.

[00:24:20]>> compare. Yeah, I think it's always a matter of being a little bit more uh like balanced. If you ask me, I do like America. I have a lot to thank to America, actually, because that's the first place where I moved out of Venezuela, and it opened its doors for me, and it taught me a new language. I have a lot of great friends from the US.

[00:24:39]And I try to go visit often, uh because my friends and I enjoy a lot of places over there. Yeah. But, the thing is, as a system, as a country, as uh things like safety, convenience, they're definitely lagging behind China. China is definitely >> China has changed me in like that.

[00:24:59]You know, >> be that weirded out by just Yeah, that's something weird out in the open. Because That's the way they do it. You know, the reason for that is because they like to show the freshness of their products.

[00:25:11]So, rather than being in a fridge or in a bag where you have some kind of additives or like chemicals, Yeah. they show, "Hey, look, this is the chicken that I just killed. It's super fresh.

[00:25:21]You will eat it and you will not get harmed because it's very healthy. And that's why they just display like that.

[00:25:27]But, it still shocks me a lot when I see this kind of animals hanging like chicken or pork or different thing. Uh one of the last things that I want to add is like how life in China changed me. Can I show you this? Yes, please. I don't know if you have this in your community. No.

[00:25:44]>> This is face recognition. Even in these sort of like old villages, they have all these sort of technology for safety. So, you don't really need a key rather than >> Yeah. just scan your face or uh your fingerprint and you'll have access >> Yeah, like my Yeah, my friend just uses a QR code on the phone. I've never seen that because Sweden doesn't have that. You don't you don't have that over there?

[00:26:05]>> have that. Yeah, where I live actually, the way you access the the main building is through face recognition. Like, I don't have keys with me at all. I just enter with that and then the main door of for my apartment >> Yeah. is like a fingerprint. So, I don't really need uh keys at all. So, again, convenience is Yeah.

[00:26:23]What I wanted Yeah, sorry. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's okay. No, no, what I wanted to say is like how China changed me as well. I'm thinking while you're talking is like the the daily habits. Like, you were talking in the beginning, remember, about like time and stuff. For me, I feel like it's the sharing food, obviously. Like, now I prefer that. And like shoes in the house. Like, if I'm in South Africa and you wear shoes in the house, I'll be like, "Ew, uh take off your shoes." Like, don't do that. Or like, if it's cold or something, be like, "Give me a glass of hot water."

[00:26:50]Like, these are the things when I came here, I thought were absolutely crazy.

[00:26:55]And now I just It's a part of me. I can't seem to live without it now. Like, that's just where I am. This looks so good.

[00:27:02]Yeah, these these definitely changes you a lot because again, it's part of the Chinese culture. Being part of it is really normal to blend in. For me also, hot water was like, "What are you talking about?" Like, I I really enjoy when I'm thirsty a good glass of ice water. Yes. But, I'm slowly transitioning more like especially like in winter. Yeah, I'm like I do like drink >> thing is you remember Shenzhen isn't that cold. So, like in other cities, hot water is really nice. I agree.

[00:27:31]But, on a day like today, no, thank you.

[00:27:33]Yeah, the shoes also is something crazy cuz when I go back home or I visit a friend in another country, like, should I take my shoes off?

[00:27:41]And they're like, "Why?" Yeah.

[00:27:42][laughter] And it bugs me when I'm entering my own home in Venezuela with shoes on.

[00:27:48]Yeah.

[00:27:49]>> I'm conscious like, "Oh my god, I shouldn't do this. It's going to be dirty." And it's just crazy how it it definitely changes you your your mindset because in our country that's not a normal thing.

[00:27:59]>> Yeah.

[00:28:00]This is another of the space I was talking about. Okay. It's like a public square Mhm. with some coffee shop. It also serves as a basketball court. Oh, I see. Okay.

[00:28:13]>> whole space before there used to be buildings here where people used to live like this kind of old building. So, what they did is they purchased the properties, Yeah.

[00:28:20]>> demolished them, and make a public big space where people can just here uh they can here and, you know, just chill like this. That with this Yeah.

[00:28:29]sun just coming here to do that.

[00:28:32]You hear that sound? Yeah.

[00:28:34]That is uh they say that is a Shenzhen sound.

[00:28:37]Okay.

[00:28:38]>> It's Shenzhen is a city constantly in evolution, so they're building everywhere. So, you hear that The Shenzhen sound. I love that.

[00:28:45]>> Yeah, that's the Shenzhen sound. So, everywhere you go, you definitely going to hear something like that. Yeah. And yeah, I believe perhaps in a decade or so, it's going to be less of that. But Yeah, but I mean, somebody needs to stop, right? It can't It will. I think China is transitioning of a huge growth growing period. So, these kind of things are super normal Yeah.

[00:29:08]>> here, and you get used to that.

[00:29:10]I used to hate it, but I got used to that. Okay, so now I have a big question. We talked about a lot of fun things today, like how China changed us.

[00:29:18]Now, I want to know, like if someone asked you, what is the biggest thing?

[00:29:21]Like, if someone says, "Rafa, how did China change your life in the past 11 years?" What is the biggest thing that stands out to you?

[00:29:29]Ooh.

[00:29:31]I'm more, I don't know. Let me think.

[00:29:34]That's a That's a tough question.

[00:29:35]>> Okay, while you think, I will tell them so long. So, for me, I feel like definitely it's the the calmness, like the freedom of mind to live a life where I don't have to worry about things like my safety, or the convenience, or taking a purse with me, or ordering coffee and it comes like that. Like, these kind of things, yeah, it makes me very calm. I don't feel rushed at all. I don't ever feel panic. I feel like China really made me a very, very calm person.

[00:30:04]>> it. So, this is why I think China changed me. Well, for me, I would say the biggest change is now more aware of the future.

[00:30:15]Ooh. Let me explain. Like, Chinese, they really care about where they're going to be in the next 10, 20 years. Where they're going to grow old. Mhm. If you need savings for the future, these kind of small things I have changed. I used to be a very uh don't worry person, live your life, live the moment person. Mhm.

[00:30:36]And that is a very Latino kind of way of living life. Like, we grow up thinking only today matters. You don't know if there's going to be or not tomorrow. But here, they know there will be tomorrow.

[00:30:47]So they get prepared for that. In as a personal level, like saving money, investing, taking care of your health, knowing that in the future you're definitely going to get old. You need to be healthy. So you need to take a healthy habit. But also, again in a macro level as a country, as an economy, they prepare these 5-year plans, 10-year plans, and they build things for the future generations. So I've changed in a way where I'm more aware of where I'm going to be in the next 10 or 20 years. So instead of partying every weekend, eating shitty food, or not worrying about my health, doing sports, that is not beneficial for me. Okay.

[00:31:33]>> So I'm working right now for the raffle of in the next 10 or 20 years in many ways. So That >> I think that has a lot to do with China.

[00:31:41]It's they are a society that focus and are worried about the future. Whereas my own culture, where I'm coming from, is a different way. They don't really worry that much about what is coming next. So.

[00:31:57]Yeah, that's really good. But I also want to add on that because for me I feel like it definitely depends on where you are because Kunming makes me very relaxed. But I've been in Shenzhen for the past 2 weeks filming and I here I feel more motivated. And I don't think it's because it's a new city. Like if I go to Beijing, I'll feel more like traditional, like wow, the culture.

[00:32:14]Whereas in Shenzhen I feel very motivated to work. Like you, like to plan maybe for the future.

[00:32:20]>> Yeah, Shenzhen has that vibe.

[00:32:22]>> Yeah, I think it depends as well like where you are in China. What kind of vibes do you >> Yeah, maybe maybe you're you're right about that. I feel like Kunming is more chill. Also, you feel like cities like Chengdu here in China are like super calm, super chill, living in the moment. But yeah, perhaps it has a lot to do where where you live in. Shenzhen is definitely a fast-paced city where you see things changing in a matter of weeks. Yeah. So, that definitely motivates you to move on, move your ass, and and work for the future and where you want to be. But that's also where the Western media negativity comes from.

[00:32:58]For example, let's say someone doesn't like China or they come to China, they come to one place, then they suddenly don't like that specific area because it's not who they are. It's that Like maybe they wanted to come chill in China. Now they're coming to Shenzhen and it's just busy. Everyone's working.

[00:33:11]So, now suddenly it's like, "Oh, I don't like China." Like I think that's the biggest thing people don't get about China. It's that it's so big and every city has its own vibe, its own food, its own culture.

[00:33:21]Like you need to travel a bit to be like, "Oh, this is my city."

[00:33:24]>> Yeah, that's that's a normal thing because you know how biased the Western media is. And actually I think when you first came here you probably have the same perception. Like you were like, "Mm, I'm not sure if I'm going to be It's going to be that easy to be adapted to that culture." But once you're here and then you face this friendliness from locals and then all these conveniences and then things like safety, you're like, "Mm-hm, this is not as bad as as I was as I heard." So, this is a place I see myself living for the next few years.

[00:33:52]When you landed in China, did you feel like you're going to stay here a few years?

[00:33:55]>> Not at all, not at all. I came here just because of the curiosity. I was like a curiosity-driven person. So, I was like, "Let's explore." And then like I came here for 1 year. You know, I think like in many cases that's the plan for most of the people or most of the foreigners who come here. And I was like, "Mm-hm." And like the first few days I was like, "Okay, it's interesting." I start exploring, but then I liked it and then I liked it more. And you were shocked you liked it, right? What's that? Were you shocked that you liked it?

[00:34:22]>> Yeah, absolutely. Cuz yeah, you heard like so many things about China in in many ways. And then you see like a different reality. I was like, "Oh my god, how come it's like it's so cool, it's so nice?" But then we came to a different level.

[00:34:36]And I'm pretty sure that has happened to you when you start not just enjoying it, but you start sharing through your work what really China is about.

[00:34:44]>> you even more in love because make you appreciate so much.

[00:34:48]>> Yeah, yeah, and not just that, you actually show a reality that many people in the West don't know. Like you show your videos, you show the evolution, you show the growth, you show the cool things. And people I've heard I've read so many comments on my platforms say like, "Oh, I didn't know it was like that." Like here you never heard about these part of China, these kind of things that you're showing here. And you feel like, "Oh, that's cool. I'm doing a good job. I'm I'm showing these cool part, this good side of a country that has opened its doors to me, to living here, has welcomed me." And and that's something that also has changed me a lot. I'm more of a grateful person for opportunities. And I have so much to thank for to China because it's a country that hasn't just given me home, but also has given me opportunities to grow, has taught me a lot. And I'm still believe I still believe I'm a person who's in constant evolution just like China. And I'm excited about what is coming next.

[00:35:52]Yeah, I'm deeply attached to this country, its culture, the way they do things.

[00:35:58]So, yeah. China is actually a cool place to live, grow, and to learn, I think. I love that honesty.

[00:36:06]Like I really know so many people don't believe us. They really think like we only fake it. Mhm. And I just I love the fact that we feel so deeply and honestly like grateful for our life here and the opportunities here. We really just enjoy life here. That we enjoy it so much that people are just like, "No, can't be. You can't enjoy the country that I don't think very highly of. So, how do you like it that much? I really like that we are sharing our life here and just the real life. I try to be as authentic as possible on my videos. When I don't like something, I will say it. I guess like there's still things that China needs to improve, especially when it comes to social behavior, but I do know that they are working hard on that. Yeah. So, I think in the next 10 years Chinese society will be more of a civilized, evolved society and that's super cool because all the more people want to come to China and in many ways has a lot to do with what we're doing on social media. Like showing real China, the beauty of this country, inviting people to come here. That is a very positive thing and People always ask like why do we stay so long? But I'm like why leave? Why leave a country that's working for us? Where we have opportunities, we have a good life with good people. Why leave? Yeah, that's not on my short term plan. Yeah, that's not in your five year plan. No, my five years plan and the next three five years plan, I'm going to stay here in China.

[00:37:27]>> But yeah, guys, that's it. Is there anything else you want to add? I'm I'm That was a good conversation. Yeah, guys.

[00:37:33]>> Very nice. Thank you for opening your channel to share our Yeah, and remember to go follow him. I'll put his channel in the description down below. Give him a follow. Yes, exactly. Thank you so much. I appreciate it. Now we're going to go eat some Italian food. I'm very excited. Thanks for watching, guys. Tell us what you think in the comments below and I'll see you in the next video. Bye.

[00:37:54]Bye-bye.