I surrendered. Last Friday, after battling a stubborn cold/cough/sore throat for over one month with tons of medicine, I went for a checkup. Nearby the Gongti Strip we have a small local Chinese hospital (no, the big dreadful, horrible Chaoyang Hospital), few people and quick service (if you speak Chinese). Blood & urine tests plus X-ray. Verdict, without waiting for all test results: not that great.
Dixit the Chinese doctor professor lung specialist:
“Well, we Chinese are born here and got used to the pollution. Those foreigners come from their countries where they are used to the good air. So, once here they get problems, not like us. Does he smoke? [oops – yes – some few cigars]. No good. Bronchitis, the airways are thickened and he gets bronchitis quickly with any cold. Probably pollution plus smoking. Antibiotics, no use. Give him Chinese Traditional Medicine (TCM). Taste is bad but is good. He should not run outside. Inside in the gym is OK.”
OK, I know I smoke some few cigars but as the very own Chinese authorities once admitted:
– Zhu Rongji: “Beijing is so polluted, my life will be at least five years shorter”.
– Chinese environmental agency: “Living in Beijing does more damage than smoking two packs of cigarettes per day”.
So, yes, I’d better stop with my occasional cigar (sigh). Maybe even better, move away from this filthy city. What else can you call it? We are “happy” when the pollution index is “only” 100. Versus max. of 20 (WHO) or somewhere in the twenties in the “polluted cities of Paris and New York”. Even Shanghai is better – roughly 30% less.
Sucks. Running & jogging outside is pure madness. Yeah yeah, “Green Olympics”? Right, but only for those weeks. Otherwise, just drop dead.
Chinese “used” to pollution? Come on, half of Beijing must have lung cancer, they make those horrible noises and spit all day long (good luck to stop them). And when they spit, is a full load.

So, I am taking the TCM treatment. A long list of whatever, then boiled by the hospital and nicely packed – one bag each time, twice per day. Tastes awful but could be worse. They say it’s good.
As for me, I am dreaming of a blue sky and fresh air. Right now, all windows well closed and air purifiers humming. And no cigars. Maybe I should buy an oxygen tent.
Be warned, I am NOT in a good mood.