I'm here! A good six
months later than I expected, in spring time instead of fall, with a different
visa than I expected, but I'm here.
It all still seems a
bit surreal. China is so familiar, yet the village I am living in is so much
smaller and has a different feel. I am living in an apartment (complete with 6
floors of stairs) instead of a first floor dorm room. I have 3 roommates and the
other volunteers are farther away than down the hall. Packing was different. A
lot less wondering if I would need something and a lot more , yes, I need to
bring deodorant, and no, I can buy shampoo and body wash there.
At the same time all
it took was walking through the airport (actually all it really took was
waiting for my flights surrounded by Chinese people) to feel familiar. The
familiar look and feel of the money, crisp hundreds and well used ones. A trip
to the grocery store to see my favorite snacks and knowing which shampoo to buy
even though I can't read a word on the bottle. Laughing with my roommates over
cucumbers and mutton sticks.
So, I've arrived.
Arrived in the country that has stolen my heart and so ready to see how it
further captures it this time.
