We are now into our second week in Shanghai out of our three years' stay. Yes, it is just the beginning. Before the routine sets in, I have been trying to learn as much as I can. The location of various places, the way of life for the locals, their cultures, their not so perfect English, also known as 'Chinlish' and the list goes on.
I have never considered myself a gentle lady. In fact, I have always spotted short hairstyle until I was in my 20s. I play hard, I work hard, I am adventurous and I often vocalise my thoughts and feelings. But here, I am considered one of the meek-est. You see, the locals here speak with a loud voice, "excuse me" is unheard of. It is pushing and shoving your way through, even little children do that. So, when the locals here see me, a Chinese lady who speaks and not shouts, they often give me a second look. I have learned that shouting and yelling do not necessarily mean that there is a fight going on. I have also learned that being pushed by the locals does not mean that they are rude, it's their culture. So, you see, when you cannot change your circumstances and your environment, you have to change yourself to fit in. So, I avoid going to crowded places, I avoid going to small and cramped up places where there is hardly space to walk even if the place is empty.
I have also reminded my kids to always visit the toilet and get their business done before heading out....cos' I have learned that it is no big deal that toilets do not come with toilet papers or soap. That is why, tissues (dry and wet) and hand sanitizer are items that must be kept in my bag.
Going to church isn't about going into a familiar building, meeting familiar faces, singing familiar songs...
I have also discovered that there many families on the move. They are as nomadic as us. I had the opportunity to talk to a man with two lovely girls from San Francisco. They are here for his wife's one year job posting and they will stay in the service apartment for one full year. He looks after their two girls while his wife goes to work. The extraordinary.
Yes, life gets really challenging when you are out of the comfort zone and your surrounding is all new and getting home means flying for five hours...but when you choose the road that leads to the unknown, whether you come out a better person or the same person, the decision is really yours.
Welcome to Shanghai - Times Square
Streets of Shanghai, you have to be a dare devil to cross their roads. Packed buses, we still complain about buses being late,
air-con breaking down....be thankful, be thankful
USA, still with us
Would you think this is Shanghai?
Bookshop in Shanghai...sorry, all Chinese books
Shanghai night scene
The church
The children's church
