Familiarity Amongst Peers and Appreciation.

We are creatures of habit and familiarity. People tend to flock to what is familiar. In a foreign setting this is more and more prevalent. I have met more people from my school here on this program than I imagine I would have if we were all back in San Diego. It’s most likely because we are in a smaller area and see each other everyday. Regardless, people are friendly knowing we share a common bond.

Don’t get me wrong I think it’s wonderful that I’m able to meet other people from my school on a different level. Three weeks of seeing the same faces everyday, it is a head first dive into friendship. If it is nothing else, I am networking with my future colleagues, some of which I may seek for assistance in the future.

Three weeks at face value seems like a long time. However, when you are in it, time seems to be speeding pass you like Usain Bolt. I am ten days from leaving for London. This means I have finals next week. I have yet to really settle down and grasp the concepts of class and study the material for the final.

I have only been on my summer adventure for eleven days. I have seven and a half weeks remaining before I return home to the states. Quantifying that makes it seem like my return home is far away.

This summer is not only of adventure but of learning and growth. I am enrolled in my school’s programs and taking classes but I will be exploring the world I am unfamiliar with and gaining perspective on how easy I have it back home. I am becoming aware of how fortunate I am to be living where I am, doing what I am doing, and having the freedom and opportunity to go about my life.

Each day I am here in China, I am reminded that life could be much harder. I wonder what the minimum wage is here. What is the standard and quality of life here. I go to dinner every night spending what my perception is to be very cheap. I rationalize that it is only 18 US dollars, the equivalent of about 100 RMB. Am I living a life of luxury for someone who lives in this city? The cheapest dinner I had was a couple nights ago where I enjoyed two large dumplings for 3 RMB. Converted to US currency, that is roughly 50 US cents. Dinner was 50 cents! In the US, for 50 cents, I could get condiments, or fancy sweet and sour sauce at McDonalds.

Our perception as US citizens visiting Hangzhou, China is greatly disproportionate. We are each products of our environment. We may not necessarily be completely influenced by our surroundings, but there is enough of an influence to shape our thoughts, opinions, and in this case our customs.

This is why I believe everyone needs to be continually cultured. Made aware of life in other places, whether it is better or worst. We may be exposed to it through media, but nothing compares to being in that location, living like a local. It should be mandatory for people to travel to other countries and experience that lifestyle. We should never settle for what is comfortable and remain narrow minded. We are these advance creatures with capabilities of absorbing a vast amount of information, yet we really only use 10% of it. Some people may even use less. This all runs back to the evolution of body, mind, and soul, I seem to continually relate to. This is the process of growing, maturing, and gaining perspective. Culture, it is all around us, we cannot be ignorant to think nothing else is better than what we know. Appreciate what you have and be conscious of life elsewhere.

Sparked in Good Company

I was about due for a good conversation. Time had past by for too long to go without having the pleasure of talking to someone who was able to carry it for longer than the small talk pleasantries. I have been one who enjoys learning and picking up cues to body language. Although I may enjoy this, I do not believe I am very good at reading them. I understand the simple cues, a body leaning forward on a table means the person is engaged. A body leaning back is one who is disengaged in the conversation. Eye contact means the person is actually listening to what you have to say. As I have stated before, human nature, interaction, and the dynamic have always been an interest of mine whether for personal reasons or simply to satisfy curiosity. When someone is engaged in the conversation, the back-and-forth that goes on is so majestic.

For purposes of anonymity, I will refer to her as Smiles. For obvious reasons, however, if need of explanation, she has one of prettiest smiles I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. I had never had a full conversation with Smiles prior to this trip. We had talked in passing, and besides a party we both attended; we knew each other simply because of the repetitive exposure at school. Unfortunately, Smiles without fault had been grouped into a stereotype of a reputation that preceded her. The perception was not one of favor in a school setting. Needless to say, I was not one to pass judgment upon another without first getting to know them on another level than what rumors describe. Smiles’ ability to socialize and draw people in is uncanny. As an outsider observer, I envy this ability. It takes a certain kind of person to have a personality and character that is capable of doing such a thing. Confidence within is an absolute necessity. In our conversation, I was pleasantly surprised at the self-disclosure Smiles provided. Refreshing as it was to converse with someone about more than insignificant daily happenings, it was eerie how Smiles and I shared similar feelings about specific things. Some of the thoughts shared were identical to that of mind.

Admittedly, the more Smiles spoke, the more I found myself thinking how my attraction to her is growing. As if the smile itself wasn’t drawing enough. Smiles is very pretty from head to toe, but beauty as such is material and at some level an influence. However, intrinsic beauty knows no beholder. Beauty within trumps all cards. Within that hard shell, there exists a soul that emits a light that beholders will undoubtedly move towards and appreciate. Smiles has that, whether or not she believes so. Previously stated, I have never been one who read people very well, but I believe I see it there. Sometimes it only takes one person to believe for the other to flourish and bloom to their full potential.

We are creatures that are capable of evolving. Not only on a large scale but definitely on a smaller scale. The evolution from within typically identified as maturing or growth, as with any evolution, takes time. I spent years understanding this perspective I have incorporated into my life and thought process. I feel as though Smiles fears her own maturity. Caught in the crowd that distracts her from what she knows within she needs to do. Her confidence shaken by the rigors of school but lingers in hopes to be fed and replenished. Smiles is capable, without a doubt. Thoughts of change are present, and application of this is within reach, fruits of the labor waiting to fall from the sky.

Smiles is this hybrid of a person, confident and independent in certain respects but unsure in others. Hybrid is probably a bad choice for the description, I reiterate with balance. There is promise I see and hope finds its way out. I only wish good things upon people.

Regardless, I think an interest has sparked and as a result I have put them into words.

If Smiles were to read this, it would be an inadvertent and unorthodox method to elicit a response, as I am timid in requesting a reaction when it is unknown and potential to differ. Nevertheless, it would not appear awkward, as it only becomes so when people make it that way. I finish by saying that above all, the company is welcomed and enjoyed, if nothing else.

Comforts among other things

With each day I spend here, I am assimilating to the culture that surrounds me. I am no longer unease at the traffic and the location. I have taken a step back to look at where I am and enjoy this opportunity I have been given. I am fully aware of the stares American’s get, the jokes we are the butt of, and the inflated prices we are given. Like with any foreign place we come to, we will undoubtedly be treated differently than we would at “home.” That is a natural phenomenon; to stare at things you are unfamiliar with and judge accordingly. Humorously, I have been mistaken for one who speaks Chinese at any place I have been thus far. I have the look of a citizen but lack the conversational skills to get by. Instead, I feel like an idiot, a betrayer of the country when I tell them I cannot speak Chinese and only understand English. Nevertheless, it is quite a sight and experience to see this dynamic between the locals and myself. I refuse to allow myself to get frustrated with this interaction because there is no point. The language barrier is prevalent and at this point, there isn’t a thing anyone can do, so why waste energy being upset about it.

With that being said, I will concede, beyond the many stares the American students receive throughout the city, the people are welcoming and mean no serious harm. Hangzhou is described as the city for loving. “Zhou” in the Chinese language stands for state. Within this providence, there are three states, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Guangzhou. Each state has their distinct characteristic. Hangzhou is considered the place to love. Suzhou is the place to eat (if I remember correctly) and Guangzhou is the place to live. Love, live and eat. Hangzhou houses 8 million people. I feel as though I have come across 100,000 people easily at this point. The city sounds like it is crowded, however, the landscape is large enough to not feel as so. As with my move from Orange County to San Diego, each day I spend here, I gain a larger appreciation for this place. I am fascinated and interested in the lifestyle of a local. How do they live, what do they do, what is life like living in this part of the city, this state, this country. The RMB, also known as the Yuan, is the country’s currency. The exchange is roughly 7 to 1 US dollar, slightly less but for the purposes of mentioning it, this is the easiest way to understand the rate. I have been here for four full days. Each evening I have been out to eat, I have spent on average 100 RMB. This is inflated in part because we went to a fancy restaurant and had lots of wine. But even then, the average of 100 RMB is the equivalent to about 15 US dollars. This is for a dinner that included at least two large beers and a full meal with left over’s. It is much different than what we have in the states where a meal may cost you upwards of 30 US dollars for a meal and two beers. Further, the quality of the food, although at times may in fact be questionable, it is still good and relatively comparable to the US. By no means am I stating that life here is easy when you are able to spend what seems to be lavishly here, comparatively. I am for one, just ignorant to the salary of a citizen here and come from a place where the money is stronger. I will indeed be thinking differently one I make my way west towards Europe and be on the flip side of things. Until that time comes in three weeks, I will enjoy myself here and get what I pay for.

Cultural Diversity like an Elephant in a small room

I have spent a total of 48 hours in the country that disallows google to function properly. Hangzhou, a city that has a gorgeous lake and a population full of people that seem to enjoy where they're at and what they're doing. It is a cultural shock nonetheless as I explored through the streets and along the river. Traffic "laws" are suggestions and pedestrians play "Frogger" every time they decide to cross the street. The people here are welcoming, and that is a far cry from the people you encounter in the States. It is quite intimidating as you speak with my classmates in English and every Hangzhou citizen you pass stops in their tracks and gives you the stare of bewilderment until you are out of their sight.

Ignorance is a much harsher word to use in this context, so I will settle for the "lack of exposure." The lack of exposure to American culture and English seem to fascinate the citizens here. Not only does it fascinate but may also lead to teasing or belittling. We as visitors, unless we are fluent in Mandarin, would not know the difference whether they were being polite or saying offensive things to us.

An example I think of was prevalent on the flight to Hangzhou, China. Several classmates flew with me from the States to our destination. On the second flight, which was from Guangzhou to Hangzhou, 95% of the flights population featured Chinese citizens, the rest foreigners. In the US, we easily and quickly lose sight of the cultural differences that exists beyond our boarders. We are the "melting pot" of the globe and feature every race, ethnicity, and culture in the world. On the flight, a classmate of mine was an interest of several Chinese citizens during the flight. Since I have met my classmate, she has never been one to be afraid or effected by what others think. She is a strong-willed woman who is very confident in herself. At least from my perspective, this is the persona she emits to the outside world. The Chinese citizens whether they were truly interested, simply amusing her, or making fun of her was dependent on your perspective. To me, I felt as though some were truly genuine and wanted to reciprocate her level of interest in the language and culture. Others I found to walk the line of being perceived as making fun of her trying to learn the language. Almost as a level of superiority. This perspective I experienced, was quickly combated by the thoughts of how we as Americans "cope" with foreigners coming to the States. There are plenty of US citizens that are ignorant and oblivious to the world outside their city, state and country.

Ever since my "growth" and grasp of perspective, I no longer formulate an opinion or thought without acknowledging the other side. There is always at least two points to any opinion or "side." Where I may think I am being polite, another person may perceive it differently. I feel it is a necessity to be conscious of other points of view and not remain narrow minded or stubborn.

To get to the point really, MY ignorance in this country is bliss, I just smile and take in what is in front of me. This is a beautiful city that has many sites to see. The lake, which is called Westlake, is one of the most beautiful things I have encountered in my lifetime. I understand that I am an ambassador of the US and my actions speak for those not present here but either way, I will not let anything hinder or disable my ability to enjoy the wonders of this nation and the world. I am doing the one thing I absolutely love above most other things, I am being cultured. Cultured on the ways of the Eastern world. Cultured on things I never imagined and never heard of. I am being cultured on respecting the rest of the world, because they deserve to be respected.

Cultural Diversity in China is Perspective to the exponential power.

I can do no more than enjoy what is in front of me. No more than to love and respect the unknown for what it has to offer.

I bid you a due. Until next time.