​Gatis Balodis

[Photo：courtesy of Gatis Balodis]

Gatis Balodis has a lot to say about his experiences of China even though he hasn’t lived in the Middle Kingdom for long. Like most expats who take advantage of their free times to learn about China, Gatis utilizes his every extra time exploring various parts of the country; his latest expedition brings him to the capital. 

Hailing from Latvia, a country mostly made up of natural ecosystems, his love for nature and outdoor sports therefore only comes naturally. He recently took part in one of Beijing’s most popular outdoor sports- the Spartan race. Nillah Nyakoa caught up with him to find out more about this race, his life as a student in the city of Hangzhou and above all how he is blending in.