In these first few days in a new and vastly different country, however, our victories are basically just meeting our basic needs of food and shelter. We can't even begin to look upwards at the pinnacle when we are merely learning how to feed, shelter, and clothe ourselves in this foreign place. Tasks that used to be mindless to me in the US (such as pouring a bowl of cereal and brewing coffee) now take much effort. I say all this not to complain, because we are ultimately grateful to be here. But I say this merely to explain how our expectations of what we hope to accomplish have shifted dramatically. We are learning patience, and also to celebrate those tasks that we are able to tackle. So, celebrate with us!
Here is what we've accomplished so far:
- Navigating a new city whose maps have street names half in English, and half in Chinese
- Finding the city's beautiful botanical gardens, complete with bamboo forest and lily pads
- Finding English language magazines and websites that offer resources for foreigners in the city
- Maximizing our rationed electricity through setting the thermostat at a warm yet comfortable 27 degrees C (28 degrees wakes us up in the middle of the night)
- Finding food for ourselves that is affordable yet doesn't require refrigeration
- Buying water everyday for drinking and brushing our teeth
- Finding a nearby Wal-Mart
- Once inside the Wal-Mart, finding mouthwash, boxed milk, toilet paper, bowls, spoons, French press coffee maker (in the vase section), laundry bag (in the luggage section), cereal and sugar packets (in the imported foods section)
- Deciding if the carton on the cleaning supply aisle with the word "comfort" and a picture of a baby on it is actually laundry detergent or fabric softener (turns out, it's fabric softener)
- Conveying to the taxi driver that we actually need to be on Xi Xi Road, and not Wu Gu Road
I'm tempted to list out here the seemingly overwhelming tasks that we still don't know how to do, but that would just be depressing. I'm trying instead to focus on what we can do, and what we have accomplished. I just simply can't live at a DC pace here right now.
Perhaps the speed of internet here is indicative of the slower pace of life we are being forced to take. Yet in that slower pace, I am savoring those things I used to rush through so quickly. I don't particularly remember how my daily cereal and coffee tasted in the US. But here, knowing how much effort it takes to find, prepare, and clean up breakfast, our first meal of the morning is especially sweet.