Stange New World

It has been just over 2 months since we've arrived in China. I was recently asked if we're adjusting. China, as it turns out, is not an easy place to adjust to. We're very glad we're here and there are many great things but the negatives are more evident here. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that we're suffering culture shock much more than we ever did in Mexico.

Some good things first:

1. We've met some amazing people here who have opened up their hearts to us. They have joined together to form our much needed support system here. They have helped us deal with our day-to-day challenges, from getting our cell phones to ordering food in the cafeteria.
   
2. We are both doing something we love and are good at. At the end of the day, we get to share our experiences and the other one actually gets it. An added bonus is this new teaching environment. We have both discovered that we enjoy academia.
   
3. We are living the moments. We are alive to all that is happening around us. We see all the details. For example, there are some beautiful flowers budding on the Scholar trees right now. As we walk by them, we consciously appreciate their fragrance. On Sunday, while riding the bus downtown, I noticed all these wedding parties and asked Jerry if Sunday is a usual day for weddings. He explained that weddings happen when there is a "good" day according to the lunar calendar and it could be any day of the week. At other times in my life, paying attention to what is really happening around me might not have been so easy. Because of the fact that everything is so different, we see and appreciate more.

Some challenging things:

1. Pollution. Jinan is a city that is growing at a rapid rate and so everything seems to be in a bit of a mess. You know you're in trouble when people comment that it's a nice day because we can see the blue sky. Often, the sky is overcast with a pale brown or gray haze. While I am not certain what is in the air, I can safely guess that it's not a good thing. Besides that, there are often dust storms here which leaves everything with a veil of dust. Housekeeping takes on new meaning here. There is also noise pollution. Besides the cars that all insist on honking as they drive by anyone, there are loud cell phone conversations everywhere. Sometimes, it sounds like a city of angry people.
   
2. Sensory overload. There is a lot of everything here: people, cars, bikes, buses, vendors, things. I love shopping. Sadly, I am not enjoying shopping here. Here is a typical shopping experience for me. It doesn't matter what I am shopping for, the minute I approach a counter or display, a clerk greets me and engages in a conversation. (Glen, I know now why you wore headphones in Japan.) After motioning to them with a negative gesture, I scurry away since I've learned that they are persistent. Browsing in peace has become a luxury.
3. Language Barrier. It can't be understated how difficult it is not to speak the language or read the writing. It affects every aspect of your life. Sure, we get by with the few words we now know and can point at most things but to really understand and appreciate things, we need to be able to speak and read. Imagine shopping for something but being unfamiliar with the packaging. When we first arrived, even buying sugar or salt required thought. We pass by many many places whose reason for being is often hidden behind the meaning of their signs. I am looking forward to being able to recognize more Chinese characters so that we can unlock those mysteries.

I am quite sure that as we spend more time here, we will adjust. And to gauge our rate of adjustment, I'll be referring to the different stages of culture shock. It is comforting to know though that, as was the case in Mexico, the world here opens up to us at the rate that we can learn the language. We can celebrate the little victories that come as we learn one word, one character.

J