Life as a foreigner in China

We all say goodbye to a life full of comforts and conveniences – Hugging all those around us that never had or never will have enough courage to do just this.  As we board that plane full of people with black hair and slanted eyes, we begin to doubt whether or not we EVEN have enough courage for this. Sitting, waiting patiently ….. a voice comes on the intercom speaking words with no meaning to us. We settle in and get as comfortable as possible and prepare for that 16 hour flight that lies ahead….

I hated to bother this man during his meditation but I really wanted a melon.

Each of us have different reasons for coming to China, whether it be to learn Chinese, to teach English, to experience the Eastern world or to escape the Western world,  to escape our old lives or to start a new one.  We come from tons of different countries, speak different native languages, and represent different walks of life.  However, in China, we are all lumped together and looked upon as one single entity, with one thing in common; We are “laowei’s.” 

We come to China for different reasons, have different experiences while living here, and leave this place with different lessons learned. However, I am sure there are many things we can all agree on.

A legless man just trying to make some money

 China will fight you, test you, and push you to a new level with yourself.  You will see something that you have never seen before (not just with this country, but with yourself) Just when you think you “get it”, you realize you aren’t even close. You will lose your patience, but end up with more. It will build you up just to knock you down. This place may confuse you and frustrate you, but never fails to amaze you. Those moments that just take your breath away (or maybe that's just because of the bad pollution.) You will become sick and tired. And you will be sick and tired of always being sick and tired. Trying to apply Western thinking to this Chinese city will only make your head hurt.  Some things will never be understood no matter how much time you spend here. A whole continent that seems to only ask questions but give no answers. 

Trying to earn some money any way they can

A view of Kunming (unfortunately this is not from my apartment)

  Our lives don’t make sense to them, and their lives don’t make sense to us. Our lives are different, and that's the beauty of it.   This place tests your strength, courage, and patience. It will help you discover just how open your mind really is.  Time spent here living, learning, and growing. We all ask the question to ourselves at least once, “what the hell am I doing here?” Or those, “Oh, China.” or “China, you win.” moments.

Is this a necessary way of smoking a cigarette?

We all have different experiences, ranging from appalling to exquisite. For some of us, it is too much. For others, it is not enough.  This place will impact each and every one of us in different ways. China teaches us all different life lessons, whatever it is we need to learn at that time. 

Dog? Rabbit? What could it be?

  There are many things here that are bothersome, some people bothered more than others. The crowds. The chaos. The congestion. The pollution. People pushing their way onto the bus, or not waiting in line for anything. People who park their cars where it is convenient for them, even if it means parking someone in or creating a traffic jam. Cars will often go down a one way street and then (obviously) get stuck if a car is coming at them from the other direction. Both remain there beeping until someone decides to do something about it.

Yet another interesting day at the market

Apparently road laws aren't enforced around here. Every time at the intersection, I just shake my head as I watch the unruly street life happening. Crossing guards flinging their arms and blowing the whistle, being ignored by all. Red lights and stops signs are apparently optional. Look left, right, then left again doesn’t apply either. 

All those things that bother me one day I find myself doing the next, like driving on the wrong side of the road, or joining in with those crowds of e-bikes that go through the red lights (as long as I’m 3 people deep I should be fine).  How could I be mad when I’m stared at or have photos taken of me when I do the same to them.  The only difference being that my photo will eventually end up in my China scrapbook. Their photo of me will end up in the hands of their friends telling them of a nonexistent relationship they have with this foreigner.

My new toy!

 This place has one surprise after another. Not a week goes by where there isn’t something interesting that comes my way; whether it’s something seen or something heard. For example, smoking is allowed everywhere (which okay, that isn’t surprising) but in the chest X-ray room at the hospital? Really? Or in an elevator? Some of the shit they eat here is still shocking to me (ranging from dog to grasshoppers) . If it isn't the animal/insect itself, then it’s the parts from them (feet, tongue, ear) There are those things that just don’t phase me anymore, like the little boy peeing on the sidewalk and the frequent smell of urine.  Waiting 2 hours for your “appointment.” (I'm not surprised) Slurping noodles. Old men (and women) hawking a loogie on the sidewalk. Squatter toilets.

Lunch is served

China is a place where no matter what you look like there is still someone who looks a little more ridiculous than you. The lady with curlers in her hair. The teenager with 2 different shoes on. Plaid top and stripe pants. A couple with matching outfits [On girl - "This love." On boy - "will last forever.] The men proudly carrying their girlfriends pink purse. Or men carrying their own purse (or is it a murse?) Sometimes you just have to bite your tongue, like when you hear all their crazy superstitions. Or when a friend tells you that he is more evolved than you are. “We have less hair than you. That means we are more evolved than you. Yeah that’s because you were still monkeys when we were human.” When asked his source for this information, he replies, "school."

Meet Linda. She is 3, but she is  going to Harvard when she is 18 to study medicine.
Oh the pressures of being an only child.

  Anyone can make it in this land as long as you remember a few things; Don’t call Taiwan a country. Or bring up Tibet. Don’t tell them that the Dalai Lama should be more respected. Leave your shoes at the door. Always carry tissue paper. If a massage costs more than $20, you may want to be sure it’s not a “special massage.” There is no Facebook in China; be okay with it! There are more interesting things to occupy your time with here.  Never put a Chinese in a situation where it may destroy their “face.” (dignity/prestige)  Accept everything they offer; like cigarettes even after you tell them over and over that you don’t smoke (store them in your purse and give them away later). . Live by some of their favorite sayings, like, “You can’t set the table without alcohol.”

Jimmy, my roommate, and I for Halloween

So go get a foot massage, have some street food (even if it makes you sick), have some hot water, go to the park and dance and sing awhile, take an umbrella and spin it around, play badminton, fly a kite, sing a song at karaoke, do Kung Fu, ride the bus going anywhere and get off when you arrive there... China is a place that disgusts you, amazes you, confuses you, and inspires you all in the same day. It sends you on a roller-coaster of emotions. However, you realize in those moments of serenity that what you’re doing is pretty f'n awesome.

Taken from the van while waiting in traffic  since
someone thought it was a good idea to place the market on the most traveled road to Dong Chuan
Turning this 2 way road just barely wide enough for it to be a 1 way road

In Dong Chuan - of course every beautiful scenery deserves a jumping photo.

 Everyone knows when there time is up, whether it be 10 days or 10 years.  Many people here come and go, leaving behind a place while taking it with them forever.  Some love it here, and some hate it here. Or love it and hate it here at the same time. It’s not until the moment we stop looking at this place the way we want to see it, that when it is fully loved for the way it is. One of the biggest lessons I learned from this country is just that: You can’t fully love something for the way it is until you let go of the way you want to see it. We can’t change a country, but a country will most certainly change us.

 Welcome to China. The place where “one in a million” means there are still 1,300 people like you.  All you need to remember to bring is an open mind and heart. Oh, and lots of patience!  

With all this being said, I would like to inform everyone that I have decided to sign for an additional 6 months (I will be here until at least August) I haven't had my fill of this place yet- every day is something new and exciting, and I'm not ready to leave it behind. For the first time in my life I have a job that I actually look forward to going to. I live in one of the most beautiful provinces in China that I have barely begun to explore. These are just a few reasons for staying.    I have a 3 week vacation (either May or June) so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone then :)  

Just look at these kids. How could I not LOVE my job?

Also, I know I convinced some of you to download "WeChat"  (I've been promising myself to get better at staying in touch) I find this program a great way to stay in touch. If you download it, my ID is jamiebru . I'm looking forward to Voice chatting with everyone on that!