 Autumn. With gradually falling temperatures you observe appearance of new mysterious objects at the night market. A lot of dogs’, cats’ and bears’ faces look at you from new stands. You’re not entirely sure what they are and why there are so many of them. Because of their design, you simply take them for toys and pass the stand uninterested. That is until you spot a certain woman in the crowd…
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 Supermarket is a place which is supposed to provide us with a variety of everyday life products (from home appliances to snacks). That’s something common to all the countries. There is however a world of difference between the needs of everyday life in Western and Eastern cultures. It is something you may all of a sudden painfully realize when going to a supermarket. To save yourself a disappointment you should be prepared ahead of time. Check what you won't be able to buy in China…  Strolling down Suzhou streets, you’re looking for souvenirs. From each stand new wonders appear to call out to you, demanding your attention. Elegant fans, airy silk, enchanting embroidery… There’s however one thing, that appears to be ‘an ugly duckling’ among all this colourful merchandise. Simple, brown, egg-shaped object made of clay. You look at it for a moment without paying much attention. It’s not beautiful. You can’t think of anything that it would apply to either. Not very concerned with the object you simply pass by. That is at least until you hear someone playing the flute…  You enjoy long walks. You spend large amount of your free time exploring the city and its surroundings. Once in a while one of your friends wants to join you in your wanders. You’re ready to go, but she asks you to wait for a moment. She needs to take her umbrella. You look at the sky – perfectly clear. However you look at it, the day appears to be sunny and pleasantly warm. Does she know something you don’t? Quite confused you turn to your friend and say “I don’t think it’s going to rain today”. She looks through the window: “Me neither. But it’s very sunny”.  Confusing “Liù” You’ve been in China for a few days already. You’ve mastered shopping in the supermarket (wasn’t that hard). It’s time to level up – night market. You’ve been warned that prices are not given and you might need to haggle for them. You’re aware that it’s going to be a challenge but you don’t fret over this. Equipped with your “Survival Chinese Dictionary” you’re ready to conquer mysterious world of street vendors with their even more mysterious food... Or at least that’s what you’ve thought.  You live in China. Very soon you’re forced to face one of the unavoidable challenges of everyday life. You have to go shopping. You don’t speak Chinese. What to do?! Well if it’s just supermarket you want to visit, there’s no problem. Prices are written so you can simply see how much something costs. Problem starts when you want to buy something at the market. The prices are not only not given, but you also have to haggle for them.  Pavement makes great shortcut when the street is still renovated. 1 year ago: So here you are, beginnig your new life in China. Lot of new challenges waiting for you just behind the corner (with the lack of ability to speak Chinese at the beginning of the list). Nevertheless you’re not getting discouraged. You’re in China realizing your long lasting dream! Of course you’re aware of many problems that you will have to face as a foreigner, but you’ve prepared yourself well, before living your country. You’ll manage! After being taken care of by the teachers from your school for last few days, you’re finally prepared to face on your own, what you think would be the first challenge – shopping. Before leaving your apartment you’re taking your “Survival Chinese dictionary” and then you’re heading for the supermarket across the street... At this point your story takes sudden turn. Why? Think carefully. Supermarket is ACROSS the street! If you were in any Western country you would say: “so what?!”. But this is not Western country. This is China. Here ACROSS the street might be a source of your worst nightmares causing your life to flash before your eyes few times a day.  Imagine. You’re going to China for at least 1 year. It’s the country you’ve never seen before, which language you do not speak and which culture is very distant from your own. You land in Shanghai where you’re being picked up at the airport by a man who doesn’t speak English at all (thank God for Google translator). He takes you to Hanghzou (the capital of Zhejiang province) and next morning gets you on the bus going to Lishui (small town in Zhejiang province – your work place for the next year). He says that teachers from your new school are going to pick you up at the bus station in Lishui (at least that’s what you’ve understood from Google translation which, however helpful, can also be confusing at times). So you’re going to your new destination, not sure what lies ahead of you. And finally you see them... three smiling faces - your future colleagues holding a paper with your name on it. Relief. |
Who am I?
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My name is Aga.
I come from Poland. Currently (since October 2012) I’m working in China as an English teacher embracing my new life as a foreigner in the Far East. For more - look “About me” chapter. Categories
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