I experienced first-hand what it’s like to have Google and FaceBook banned. I was not able to logon to either at the airport in Shanghai, and asked a young Chinese woman working at the airport lounge why I couldn’t access to Google or g-mail. She blushed and in a hushed voice said, “No Google.” It felt like my freedom had been taken away, and apparently Twitter and social media aren’t allowed at all. I’d heard about this on the news in the U.S. several months ago, but thought it was temporary.
I sat next to a German man who lives in Shanghai, and asked him what expats do in China in order to get e-mail. Apparently they open a yahoo account. Yahoo is allowed.
While at Shanghai airport, I noticed that I didn’t have access to several websites and blogs that belong to my author friends in the U.S., as well as bloggers around the world. It was a really strange sensation, especially when one of these websites from a close memoir friend stated, “Access Denied.”
All I could think about was, “How does an expat indie author promote his/her work?” and then, my second thought was, “How nice not to have to compete and constantly promote your books, when you have no choice.”
I realize that we are fortunate to have access to social media, something we take for granted. Here in Bangkok, I have the best Internet. I’m staying in a small, basic hotel, about ten-minutes from Bangkok airport, and the Internet speed is phenomenal.
I’m glad I got to experience seven hours without Google at Shanghai airport, as this will be training for me when I move to Lesotho with the Peace Corps. There, I shall probably only have Internet access a few days a month.
Has this happened to you? If so, how did you feel about it? How would you feel about it, if you didn’t have social media access?
Eileen Hopkins says
August 6, 2015 at 8:32 pmHi Sonia, I have experienced this. I travelled solo (well, with my husband) through China for a month. I didn’t even have a tablet with me that trip. I am a Face Book crazy and a blogger so it was a big withdrawal for me personally. I dashed off emails from my new yahoo account (I did know they wouldn’t let me use gmail). We used computers in the hotel business centres to send emails and book travel etc. Crazy hard when they screen is in mandarin. But, like most travellers, we figured it out in a few tries and I just made sure I knew what I was going to email before I would send it. We memorized where certain icons appeared on the screen and managed to access our travel sites. Unfortunately, no blog posts! Was in Thailand a few years ago – an amazing place – hoping you get to spend some time there. SE Asia was our last foray into the east. The food is to die for and we had pure childlike fun during their water festival. I will be following you on your adventure this time. Enjoy!
Eileen Hopkins recently posted..Three Reasons Why Old Eyes Sparkle
Sonia Marsh says
August 7, 2015 at 3:33 amEileen,
So you’re as addicted to social media as I am. Ian makes a good point in his comment, that I should enjoy everything without worrying about posting.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My First Experience Having Google Banned
Rebecca Hall (Bex) says
August 6, 2015 at 9:07 pmHey Sonia,
Good to hear your on adventures again.
I didn’t have internet access at all on my 37 days on board the container ship trip from Athens to Hong Kong I took in 2013. Well, only when I got to port did I, so I caught up then, but realised I didn’t want to waste my time in internet cafes catching up, when I could be seeing the surrounds.
SO – I scheduled all my posts offline whilst on the ship, read a lot of books and socialised with my fellow crew members, as well as managed to get the final draft of my book done! It was kind of refreshing.
Have a wonderful experience in Thailand. Glad you’re putting your TEFL to good use.
Rebecca Hall (Bex) recently posted..San Juan Island – Washington State
Sonia Marsh says
August 7, 2015 at 3:27 amBeccy,
I remember when you did your NPR interview and mentioned that you finally had time to read.
I’m enjoying my new friends; they are even younger than my own sons.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My First Experience Having Google Banned
Ian Mathie says
August 7, 2015 at 2:46 amWhat bliss! Freedom from the internet, yes please!
Bring back good old hand written letters, with all the fun of writing them, posting and waiting for a response. The anticipation was part of the pleasure, and when a letter finally arrived it had so much more value than all this instant communication we have today.
With technology making it so much easier to talk to people across the world, we are too easily distracted and fail to look around and really absorb what surrounds us. Welcome the isolation and take the chance to get involved where you are. There’ll be plenty of time to tell everything about it when you come back, and you’ll have so much more to tell.
Enjoy your island school.
Sonia Marsh says
August 7, 2015 at 3:30 amHello Ian,
I’m scared to respond, as you will see that I’m checking my e-mails again. Now I’m in Thailand, where the Internet works really well. We are off sightseeing tomorrow before our ten-hour overnight bus ride to Koh Samui.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..My First Experience Having Google Banned
Susan G. Weidener says
August 7, 2015 at 5:03 amHi Sonia, Glad you made it safe and sound.
My sons – both of whom are Millenials – and I spent 8 days in Beijing and while we loved visiting the Forbidden City and going out to the Great Wall – it was a long 8 days. We weren’t suprised there was no Google; it’s well known that China is a communist country . . . need I say more? Cutting people off from the world like that really isn’t serving any purpose . . . it’s paranoid and an attempt at mind control by Big Brother. It’s another reason why whenever we travel, we come home with a greater appreciation than ever for our country.
Susan G. Weidener recently posted..A Writer Waits . . . Is Another Book Just Over the Horizon?