Week 5

Week 5: personal

22/03/12

I cannot believe I am sitting writing blog number five already. My time in China is going so fast and I really am having the time of my life.  I am thoroughly enjoying the company and encouragement of being with Keith, Dan and Dani.  We all get on really well and it has made this experience so much better sharing it with them.

                                                   The four of us together at a Thai restaurant

Andrew and Heather came to join us this weekend in Guangzhou. It was great to spend time with them and show them around the city.  I felt like I had been living here for years and that we where their tour guide showing them all the local spots.  This showed me just how settled I have become living here in China.  It is a huge change from the culture shock I felt in the first week.  The weekend was filled with reminders from home as we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, had Pizza hut for dinner and another massage for Keith and Dan’s joint 21^st birthday.  To finish off the weekend in style we went on the famous ‘Pearl River Cruise’.  It was beautiful to see Guangzhou lit up at night time. 

View from the river cruise

                                                 Keith, Dan and Heather on a Chinese boat ride

After Andrew and Heather left I was struggling with missing my family and friends.  This is because we have very little contact because our internet connection is so bad and it is too expensive to call or text home.  My good friend from home was getting married this week and it was hard not being able to wish her a great wedding day.  I also was missing my Mum as it was Mother’s Day on Sunday but I was able to speak with her on Skype to wish her a good day and she really encouraged me to continue to enjoy every day and make the most of this amazing experience because it will be over before I know it.

I feel like my understanding of Chinese people has grown significantly over the past 5 weeks.  Things which I found strange at first are now normal to me.  Whenever it rains in China the streets literally become empty within seconds.  At first I thought this was ridiculous and I had no idea why the people seemed afraid of getting wet.  It is actually because the Chinese people think that getting a cold is very serious.  If they get a cold they will not go to work and will immediately go the hospital to get some medicine.  There is huge difference between the way Chinese people and Northern Irish people care for their health. 

Every day we see more and more disabled and homeless people on the streets.  It is clear that the Chinese government do not provide as much help for these people as is given in the UK.  I feel very privileged when I see these people and remember just how much I actually have in life.  I have good health, a fantastic family and have been very blessed in life.  Being away from home has opened my eyes to see other people’s desperate needs and I am being encouraged to try and be less selfish and think of others before I think of myself. 

On this street there were at least 5 homeless people