I was sitting here in my hotel room, reflecting on this trip.
I came here for work. It was a business trip, but unlike any others I have ever been on. I have learned so much since I have been here - so here are some thoughts as my time here comes to a close...
The FOOD
I was both delighted and surprised that I enjoyed the culinary experience here as much as I did. This is NOT American Chinese Take-Out.
The chicken is ALL free range - you see them roaming around free all over the streets.
The beef has never been injected with hormones, or fed with additives or anything unnatural. Makes you wonder about the things we Americans put in our bodies.
The fish, is the freshest I have had since the days many years ago when my father would go fishing off the Long Island Sound and bring home BlueFish or Flounder for dinner.
They do not waste a single part of any animal - Trust me - I didnt actually EAT the gelatinous Pig's Blood (looks like brown tofu) or the Cow Intestines or Chicken Feet - but I saw it on the menu.
There is NO overindulgence here- they only order what they can eat - they never take home leftovers - they dont have to - the portions make sense - they eat the most WONDERFUL vegetables with every meal - and I have not seen a single obese Chinese person since I have been here.
The price of meals is unbelievable inexpensive - Yesterday, I took my guides, Emma and YoYo and our driver Mr.Wong out to a Noodle Room and bought them lunch to express my gratitude for their hospitality. 4 people - 4 noodle bowls, 1 order of steamed veggie dumplings(10 pcs) and a wonderful green veg w/ yellow beans - amounted to $9 US.
I have been tipping way too much - I have the American mentality of the service industry - and while it was only a few dollars to me - to the waiters and waitresses - I tipped them nearly their entire daily wage. My feeling about this is - while it may not seem like alot of money to me - it meant the world to them. That is meaningful to me.
THE HOSPITALITY
Everyone is so nice. The most helpful, attentive service staff I have ever seen, anywhere. In the restaraunts, hotels etc. They always go out of their way to make sure you are happy - The hotel reception women, all knew my name. Maybe it was because I was the ONLY American in the Hotel - but it made a diffence in my experience. I felt welcome in a country not my own.
THE CULTURE
Family - is absolutely the most important thing to the Chinese people. They spend days, during this Lunar New Year celebration - heading north to spend the week with their family. It made me reflect on my relationships with my own family, and grateful that we are so close knit, for they are my lifeline to my history, and have shaped me. - Right now nearly 500,000 people are stranded at railway stations across the country - Yesterday, we were walking thru one of the Rail Hubs in Shenzhen - and I saw hundreds of people, who had been there for many days now. The Chinese version of the Red Cross was bringing them meals, and tea and comfort.
I have learned about the meaning of words, and symbols and statues and hand drawings.
I've learned that the way Americans say Chow Mein is WRONG - We say it like it sounds like "MAINE" - when in reality it is pronounced "Mee-En"
I have enjoyed the awed look on their faces, when I say thank you, in Chinese - pronounced - shay shay - it's the only phrase I have mastered.
THE PEOPLE
The minimum wage in Shenzhen is 800 RMB per month - Which equates to $114.29 USD. They do earn overtime and the workers are now being allowed to Unionize - China has come a long way and conditions are much improved in the factories and towns.
There is still rampant poverty - but you would never know it in their faces. They are such a proud, hardworking people. Sloth is not a cultural option - it is shameful - Americans could learn a great lesson from this.
There are BILLIONS of people in China - and while many of them drive cars - so many also ride bicycles - I have never seen so many bicycles in my life!! They carry EVRYTHING on bicycles - I saw a man, riding a bike down the road - with packages stacked and tied - 6 feet wide and 8 feet tall - I kid you not. Efficiency is the word of the day.
Driving, or being driven, especially in Taxis, is a life flashing before your eyes experience - If my Aunt Elaine were here - we would need to sedate her.
LANGUAGE BARRIERS
We arrogant Americans think that wherever we travel, people should speak English. We think they should be able to understand us and fullfill our every need, in our native tongue. We dont even try to learn from THEM.
In mainland China, almost no one speaks English. Those who do, dont know know very much. I have never espereinced this before. It frustrated me at first- but then I opened myself to learning and changing my approach to communication. How do we communicate, if not with words? So I got creative. I tried to find commonalities, instead of differences - I found other ways to communicate. Sign language of a sort - gestures and facial expressions. I needed asprin, so I went to a store by the Hotel and I couldnt read the labels. So I went to the clerk - put my hands on my head and made a grimacing face - and she completely knew what I needed. All without words - that is until I said Shay Shay. I made a commitment to myself, to work on communicating with others in my life, in a more gentle, non verbal way - Because it is often the silent gestures, the expressions on our faces, that say how we feel and what we want, better than our words.
FINALLY
I am ready to go home - Homesickness has set in, and I am glad to be heading to familiar ground. But my experience here will live with me. I feel forever changed.
