Ok, so it has been about eight months since our last post. We had a great excuse at the beginning—censorship—but now with the help of a little technology to deal with technology, we're back online. Much like the "Great Wall", the "Great Fire Wall" does about as much to keep China is as it does to keep others out.
Since we've last reported, our adventures have taken us to various points throughout Asia, as well as within China. We were warned about living abroad and how when you first get there, you're in the "tourist mode" and loving every minute of it. A few months into it, everyone goes through the "why are we here" period. If you can't get through this in a few months, pack your bags and give up…you're never going to come out of it and it's time to go home. There is a saying in Shanghai expat community that you have your Shanghai days, and your Shang "Low" days. We've had our share of both, but we can say that there are more highs than lows and we're loving it.
After this summer, it really helped to have a stream of visitors coming through, starting with Brennan and Lily on their tour of China. Then followed a vacation, Mom and the Aunts, Larry, and then Ian and we're happily looking forward to our big trip—Australia. More on these in a bit.
But, let me reflect on the overall experience so far in my opinion…
You either love China or you hate it. There is no in between. This very much reflects, well, just about everything about China. It's a country of such diverse extremes, that just when you think you've figured it out, you experience something that…there really isn't a superlative that describes how opposite things can be.
You get such a feeling of whiplash trying to draw conclusions on what you see that you just get dizzy after a while. The best analogy I can compare is like watching a professional ping-pong match, however you're not in the stands, but right at the side of the table at the net, and trying desperately to keep up with the ball going back and forth.
Below is one of my favorite photos that I took during a solo expedition I made throughout the city of Shanghai this summer before Holli and the kids returned.
This guy is delivering about 26 cases of beer, and a half dozen packs of bottled water, while a Mercedes not-so-patiently waits for him to get out of the way.
As far as our updates, well, we have no excuse other than we're just trying to live our lives here, embrace the world around us (being mindful to not get whiplash) and enjoy ourselves…oh, and stay out of the way of taxi cabs. Hopefully, the following posts give you a glimpse of what we've gone through in both the good times, and the not-so-good times.
It's good to see you all again.
Oh, almost forgot, when my mother and aunts visited this Fall, they blogged about their stay with us. While it does not capture it all, it's definitely a good glimpse to what our first six months (and then some) here….an adventure. Check out their blog here.
