glimpses caught quickly and processed slowly
The crowds in Beijing
People were pushy in public: on buses, in the mall, subways and sidewalks. They shoved their shoulders and their elbows into each other trying to squeeze their way out of the bus . . . only to take a slow stroll when finally out. It was just that point of interaction, like crowds rushing out of a soccer stadium. You could get killed, or at least have your left arm taken out by an instant mob headed for the door.
In private, people would give you their left arm.
What is it like to submerge yourself as completely as possible in the middle of China, with three Chinese roommates and Chinese classes where the only language you can speak with other students is Chinese?
Foreign bedroom, foreign haven
Continue reading ‘The 20 Questions Foreigners Hear Most in China’
Continued from yesterday’s post, emails from March 2007.
Savior of a roommate
No one answered the door.
Finally, I shouted through that great metal barrier to total relief, “It’s your foreign neighbor!” Several clicks, multiple locks unlock and the metal door opens.
She welcomes me in and apologizes for not opening sooner, but they’re often afraid in the middle of the night. We did not live in a rough part of town, but the only time I heard noise coming from their apartment was when she and a man were shouting and a number of things breaking. I would be afraid too, if I thought he was coming back.
I sat on the couch, explained my situation as briefly as possible and rushed past her to finally use the facilities (a little too late — I was dying by then. Dying!)
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