I’m Indrek Heina, currently working in Estonian Embassy in Beijing as an Administrative Attaché, that means I’m responsible for ensuring that our building is well-maintained and clean, and that all bills are paid and employees are happy. Before we came to Beijing, our family lived in Tallinn which is the capital of Estonia. Estonia is our home country and we all are born there. Our eldest son is already grown up and lives his own life in Estonia with 2 wonderful kids and that means we are young grandparents as well! We have two cats but sadly couldn’t bring them with us, but we’re hoping to as soon it’s possible. Here in Beijing, we have two boys with us.

 

Welcome to the ‘Jing! What brings you and your family here?

In the beginning of 2022, I was thinking that our life needed a little more spice. The family supported me to apply for a job in the Estonian Embassy in Beijing since we have always been interested in Asian culture. And here we are, just a couple months off the boat!

 

What are you looking forward to here in Beijing, China?

At the moment, we plan to live here for 3 years, but who knows what life will bring us? Beijing is so big and there are many places to explore. The territory of Beijing is more than 1/3 of the territory of Estonia, and nearly 20 times more people live here than in Estonia. We also look forward to exploring all of China and wow, it’s huge. There are so many different terrains from mountains to palm trees and you have so many different regions and cultures to discover! It’s all so interesting and different for us.

 

What are some activities that your family enjoys together?

Together we enjoy plenty of outdoor activities such as cycling, hiking and camping – we cook by the fire and sleep outside in the middle of nature. We also enjoy movie nights together. In Estonia, we regularly went to the cinema. And every year we have participated in ice-fishing competitions that take place on the Lake of Paipus – the biggest lake in Estonia. Of course the tradition of sauna is also part of our lives. In Estonia, the boys practiced Muay Thai. Right now I’m looking for ways for them to continue in the sport.

 

What’s your favorite thing about Beijing so far? 

Beijing has surprised us. We didn’t expect this city to be so green. Old Beijing, the Forbidden City, hutongs and of course the huge Tian’anmen Square are also fascinating but nothing compares to the quality and flavors of local food! We have many places to visit on our bucket list and after maybe half a year we can give you a new list of a favorites!

KEEP READING: Steve Northcott Doesn’t Know Where He’s Going, But He Promises It Won’t Be Boring

Images: Courtesy of Indrek Heina

Steve Northcott is a teacher, artist, musician, storyteller, movie maker, fiscally responsible Canadian who loves travel, instruments, pickleball and hockey (but not at the same time), and people who do nice things. He’s fairly mediocre at everything he does, he just happens to do a lot.

What’s On Your Mind?

Given the time of day, I am normally thinking about what I am going to make for dinner. Having said that, the theme of my thoughts changes on the regular. Since I started typing this sentence I have thought about the following things: Why are my Survivor Football picks so trash? When is a socially acceptable time for a middle-aged man to take his first nap of the day? It’s amazing that people still go to watch professional baseball live. What will my next tattoo be? I want to cut grass for a living. As a grown man, should I stop wearing jerseys or wear them more? These days, my mind is a constant battle between trying to enjoy the present and preparing myself for a life outside of China. Both of which seem to be difficult to fathom at the present. At one time, I believed that pineapple on a pizza was a horrible idea but since then I have changed my mind which I think says a lot on my ability to grow as a person.

What’s Your Motivation To Get Moving?

I am excited to retire but I never want to be bored. So, I am always wanting to do more. To figure things out. To create. I have a difficult time with rest. So, I don’t need much motivation to get moving to be fair. But to use a quote, I guess I would share the wise words of David Bowie, “I don’t know where I am going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.

What Keeps You Sane In All The Madness?

The house of madness has many doors. Be sure to open every one.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Beijing?

The restrictions over the past few years have been tough, so focusing on the positives is a healthy exercise. I love that in Beijing, we are capable of the ridiculous, being creative, and satisfying our cravings. My favorite activities in Beijing include Sunday nights with the greatest hockey league ever assembled, playing guitar with my band, playing golf with the greatest bunch of duffers the Middle Kingdom has ever seen, and getting the opportunity to dine with my family as much as possible. Most of those activities don’t have to be accompanied by a cold beer, but it just so happens that it’s okay if it does. Stay groovy Beijing.

KEEP READING: William Lindesay’s 35-Year Love Affair With The Great Wall

Images: Steve and Hannah Northcott

When people ask William Lindesay where he is from, this Brit answers that his ‘first half’ is from the UK, his second half is from China (where he’s been for the last 35 years), and that his better half, his wife Qi, whose name means ‘Beautiful Jade’ is from China. It’s their jade wedding anniversary, 35 years, in April 2023.

Explorer, geographer, historian, author, film-maker, and the often-consulted know-it-all about the Great Wall of China, William has a bookshelf filled with his own books about the Wall (ten in all) and piano-top full of awards and photos of him receiving them, having been made an OBE (Officer, Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II, and as a recipient of the Friendship Award of China shaking hands with Premier Zhu Rongji. He was recently named a luminary in ‘The Explorers Club 50, Class of 2022’. William and Qi have two grown-up sons, Jimmy and Tommy, and he describes his family as ‘Wallnuts’. The family host ‘WildWall Weekends’ at their courtyard home beside the Wall in Huairou District.

What’s On Your Mind?

My writing efforts over the last few years are all bearing fruit in this autumn harvest season. It’s a crazy book glut! My complete Great Wall life story titled Wild Wall is being published by Earnshaw Books. A children’s book, actually written to be a live show, is being published by the China Children’s Publishing House — that’s called The Golden Great Wall. It has a fantasy beginning and end, and factual and fun core! And I have the Chinese language edition of The Great Wall in 50 Objects coming out as well. So, lots of final checking of book covers and getting the great and the good to write blurbs. That’s been great fun, looking up various ‘friends of the Great Wall’ who I have had the pleasure and honor to tell the Wall story over the past few decades. Wow, if that table top full of proof copies isn’t enough, I am also keeping up by keeping in touch with our two sons, Jimmy and Tommy, who are making a journey on foot along the whole length of the Great Wall, just like I did in 1987. They are 1700KM into their traverse, nearly at the ‘Heart of the Dragon’, in Shaanxi Province. Qi and I have recently returned from Yinchuan in Ningxia, where we did some filming and catching up with them around the camp fire. I asked them what supplies they wanted from Beijing. They answered “Ralph’s Chocolate Cake’ … from Sanlitun. We bought a whole cake. Wow, are those bakes wholesome, or what? When we checked in, we were almost overweight! 

What’s Your Motivation To Get Moving?

To keep backache and stiff joints at bay, and stop the old man from entering my life and house! The Great Wall itself is a monumental motivation to me. It’s a survival story … how and why it was built … who and why it was built for (against). People on both sides of the Wall were trying to survive. We are too. 

What Keeps You Sane In All The Madness?

I am always focused on my subject: all things related to the Great Wall. So my passion is diverse. I am never tired of the Great Wall, although I must admit now, the walks along it do tire me out a little more, and earlier than they once did, when I had 2 hour 39 minute marathon legs. To echo a quote about the endlessness of his interest in London, by Samuel Johnson, come the day I’m tired of the Great Wall I will be tired of life! I tend to limit most of my energy and time to things within my own control. I take a great interest in international affairs. I like to watch BBC News for an hour around 5pm while having a glass of beer before dinner. My days have a certain routine, because I have an adorable black Labrador, called Hadrian. He’s named after that emperor’s wall in England — it was one of my ‘stepping stones’ that led me to the Great Wall. I always go out just before dawn with Hadrian, to ‘play’ tennis and frisbee, his two favorite sports. He’s a keen Wall walker! For me, it’s the hours before midnight which give the precious sleep, so I retire early. I get up very early, about an hour before sunrise, to ‘beat the enemy’ — going lazy, by staying in bed. I stay sane this way. When I have time I like to do some baking, stuff like cheese scones and banana bread. I’m always looking to mark an achievement by a family member by opening a bottle of champagne. I listen to what my wife says, because my sons have always said ‘When Mum’s happy, the whole family is happy’ — and they’re right! I always take here a cup of tea in bed at dawn, make her a cup of tea when she comes back home, from shopping or wherever. I keep my feet on the ground, by cleaning the windows, mopping the kitchen floor, and Dyson-ing the whole house every day. I mean, with a lab you have to! 

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Beijing?

That goes without asking! My wife and I met in Beijing and it’s been our home city for three decades. We are here because the Great Wall surrounds the capital on three sides, west, north, and east, so it’s a great place to study and savor the monument. It’s also well connected to the rest of China and Asia and the world — usually. 

KEEP READING: Find Out What Keeps Pilaxy Rasmussen’s Family Happy In Beijing

Pilaxy Mariyathas Rasmussen was born in Sri Lanka and moved to Norway when she was in elementary school. She has five siblings, and her family immigrated to Norway due to the civil war in Sri Lanka. As a result, Pilaxy grew up with two different cultures and faced the difficulties of living in different locations, having to learn a new culture and language at seven. Pilaxy came to Beijing in 2018, where she lives with her husband and three children. She currently serves on the jingkids Parent Board.

What’s On Your Mind?

I always have a lot going on and don’t like to waste my time. I prefer to have many balls in the air, and my goal is to never have one day without doing something fun for my family and my soul. This helps me keep a positive mindset, specifically in times like this, when travel restrictions prevent me from seeing my family in Norway and Sri Lanka. Not being able to travel has been challenging. I’m sure we all can relate to missing our family and friends. I tell myself to treat every day as a gift; take it and use it. Do something with it. Happiness does not come by itself but is the greatest treasure in life.

What’s Your Motivation To Get Moving?

My father passed away from cancer some years ago.That taught me to be more motivated and grateful for every day I get.I love spending time with my family and friends here in Beijing. They make me happy every day. Sitting around our dinner table and listening to my kids sharing their stories are precious moments! Finding good friends who care for each other just like family is a true blessing.

What Keeps You Sane In All The Madness?

The joys of my family, and because of Covid, we have become closer than ever. We are stronger together and more open-minded. Things can change anytime, but keeping the family together has been my priority the last two years. We’re trying to think out of the box; what can we do to keep ourselves happy and safe? What is most important in life? We talk about how we are feeling. I have often asked myself why I’m still staying here in Beijing. No one “forces” me to be here. We can leave Beijing anytime, so what is making me stay longer? To that, I will say harmony around my family and all my friends here in Beijing is what keeps us going. We all have ups and downs, but my motto is never to stop pursuing your dreams because things are difficult. Always push yourself out of your comfort zone, and you will make it happen!I tell my kids all the time never to give up. Ask them to challenge themself and ask WHY? If you never ask why you never get an answer either. Enjoy life today, don’t wait for tomorrow to come.

What’s Your Favorite Thing About Beijing?

The beautiful scenery of the different Great Wall places. Good local Chinese food. I love Hutongs; it’s such a peaceful place to walk around. And, of course, the culture and all the great people here in Beijing!

KEEP READING: Chris Hayden’s Kids Get Motivated By Curiosity And Fun