over two weeks in and no looking back

Just over two weeks ago I made the adventurous trip to China. Being my first trip to the orient I did not know what all to expect or who all I would meet. My experience here has been one of excitement and anticipation. Every new street I walk down and every new person that I meet has acted as a filling water within me that can only be expressed as a fulfilment to the needs of man, that is, the fulfilment of an adventure.

In coming to China, I had to throw away much of my belongings. This was mainly due to the clever, though ridiculous weight requirements posted by a European airline carrier whom I will not name. Nevertheless, as I sat in Edinburgh Airport shuffling through my luggage to weed out things that were not 'absolutely' needed, as all that I packed had sentimental or clothing value that was at least needed on a foundational level, I began to think of myself as a man readying to embark on a pilgrimage; not knowing what lied around the next corner.

The anticipation of landing in China for the first time kept me from sleeping at all on the flight over, though not for lack of trying. When we landed in Hong Kong and I looked out the window to see just just what China looked like, I became overwhelmed and excited. The rolling hills that surround the city were majestic and blocked and sight of looking more than two miles inland. On the other side of the plane, through windows blocked by the rest of the passengers, I could just make out the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean and some of the surrounding islands near HK.

I suppose the HK airport was my first "China experience," that European airline that I would not mention earlier was unable to provide a ticket for me that allowed me to get on my final flight to Wuhan where I would rendezvous with my friends who were coming from America; so with only an hour until my next flight I had to make my way through the unloading passengers and find my way to the nearest ticket desk. My new carrier, whom I will name, was Dragon Air; this is a company that is co-owned by Cathay Pacific and though I had the option to buy a Cathay Pacific ticket I chose the other... when in China, fly as the dragon does. One man beat me to the ticket line, and as it turned out he was the kind of customer who needed 20 minutes to explain his situation before anyone could help him - never mind the queue that was forming behind him. When I finally got to the desk I was speaking to a lady who was translating my English to a second woman who was training a third woman on how to use the computer. Needless to say, I was also one of those customers who needed 20 minutes. The security check was a breeze to get through (because everyone was held up at the line) and I made it to the plane as everyone was boarding. It was nice to look down the terminal and see friends who were anxiously waiting my arrival and who were equally worried about me not being on the flight to Wuhan.

The final flight was great and we landed in Wuhan Airport with no problems. Wuhan did not present any worthy stories except for the medical check I needed to take before actually coming to my final destination in Shiyan. This medical check consisted of a chest x-ray, a blood test, and eye exam, and an ultrasound. Before you ask, its a girl. The hospital was the most unsanitary place I have ever been and could have easily played host to a horror movie.

The drive from Wuhan to Shiyan took about 5 hours and as I watched the landscape change for the better I knew fortune smiled upon next year in China. Shiyan is a city surrounded by many low lying mountains, almost small enough to call hills, that are scattered throughout the landscape. This makes going places difficult as there a lot of hills one must often walk up to reach the places they go. But the city itself is beautiful. I can't wait for autumn when the heat and humidity fade and the surrounding scenic landscape changes into a parade of seasoned colors.

I am an English teacher here at East Wind #1 Middle School, at least I think that is how it was translated, and I have over 1000 students who all seem eager to want to learn how to speak English. The other teachers that work with have been so welcoming and the higher ups at the school have spared no expense on account of me being here. My only hope, if any, is that I can live up to the efforts these wonderful people have invested in me and that my being here provides a return they desire.

Finally, in walking the streets of the city and seeing how these wonderful people live their lives I have become enamored by both the Chinese and this city. I do not believe my being here is a mistake nor do I believe that the door to come was open for no reason. I am in search of finding my place both in the city of Shiyan and in His will; a revelation that will hopefully come soon.