Third Impression......Not So Great

So my third significant impressions wasn't a particularly good one. Unfortunately, I'm used to an extremely clean and fresh environment in the United Stated, and I wasn't aware of the lack of regulations, care, or awareness for cleanliness in other countries. The air is heavy and the sky is hazy with pollution. We have rarely seen blue skies since we have been here and it's rather depressing. The sun also shines clear enough where we can make it out, instead of just a mass of bright haze. Not seeing blue skies and making out the sun clearly is something that I'm not used to and it's not something that I want to get used to.

If you want to walk some of the streets in this city you need either a mask or the ability to get over very overpowering wafts of air. The scent on the streets change step to step, and there are a lot of unpleasant smells in between the delicious food vendors. Infants and babies use the streets as toilets because diapers are expensive. Little kids have the crotch and backside of their pants cut out for easy access. It's a rather difficult thing to get used to because the streets smell horrible.

Not everything in China is nice, but one cannot expect everything to be a positive experience. This is a cultural difference between the two countries and it's a difference that I'll have to get over.

Second Impression...The People!

The people in China....ooh boy! For the most part they are very kind hearted and warm. When I say hello (你好) and wave, they smile, say hello (你好) right back, which is more than I can say about a lot of people I've met! There is one thing that I can't get over though: they stare at me so much. I'm not sure if it's contempt, amusement, curiosity, animosity, or their vision of beauty, but the fact that I'm white and from the United States (mostly because I'm white) compels a vast majority of people to stare at me as I walk. It's starting to get annoying how much people stare.

The people I have a problem with staring is the younger generation; kids my age. I get the vibe that they dislike me or have that macho thought that I admittedly have where you tell yourself, "he's not so tough. I could take him." I just get the feeling that they're intimidated by me or don't like me because I'm a foreigner. Guess it's something I'll have to change or get over. I was expecting the older generation to be much more abrasive and unwelcoming, but I've found that to be far from the truth. I've met a friend who lives in my building who can't be younger than 60, but he is the most friendly person to me it's astonishing!

As for the hospitality; it's incredible. The culture around here is so focused on making people visiting your house, store, shop, restaurant, whatever, as comfortable as possible that it's almost off-putting. People make sure you're comfortable, not thirsty, and having a good time that it's a huge change from back in the States.

Overall the people are warm and friendly, eager to help you in any way possible and to make you as comfortable as you can be. I do wish to say thank you to my previous Chinese teacher, Wu Xiaoping, who has made all of our lives in Xi'an as pleasant, easy, and comfortable as possible. She has helped us find apartments, locate good places to eat, places to buy food, necessities, and frills, and offered her time in any way possible. She has sure helped all of us students from BG and we are grateful for her being here. The help she has given us has been an example of how nicely someone can expect to be treated in Xi'an, and it's heartwarming.

My Journey Begins....With Food!

So this was the first time that I could get around the Great Firewall of China and make a post on here (they blocked this site for some reason!) My initial trip over here was tough and tiring. Between forgetting a lot of my Chinese, exhaustion, and the speed that the Chinese people talk with I was so taken aback. My way around the the Shanghai was confusing and I had no idea where I was, but I like being there. The flight over to Xi'an was a lot less tiring and confusing, and as soon as I arrived in Xi'an, I went to bed immediately!

After arriving in Xi'an I was in complete awe. I was in a new country, continent, and half of the world! I had so much to learn, do, see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and understand that the possibilities are were endless and I wanted to see them all right then and there. There was only one problem.....I needed to get some food in me! I hadn't eaten much from stress and forgetfulness, so I was taken to the school canteen. The food sucked!! I can't tell you how awful the food was at this school cafeteria, but the good thing for me was that this food did not represent the quality of food in this city!

Since my first experience with the food I've come across soooo many new and delicious foods. From this delicious semi-uncooked (I think?) flatbread that's made with green onions, red peppers, sesame seeds, and other spices, to random meat on a stick, to deep fried mushrooms, the food here is delicious and frankly, I don't know what half of it is, and I don't care! This experience here is opening my eyes to new food options that I've started to not care what it is; I'm just going to try it instead of asking questions. That's not to say that I'm just going to eat anything; on the contrary, I'm still a little hesitant to try some things, but that's because I know my limits. I'm easing myself into the mentality of food isn't evil or bad, that I just need to try it, but it takes time people!!

The flavors are complex and delicious, yet there seems to be a minimum of ingredients and flavorings used. I think the fact that most of the food here is natural helps the quality of the food that I've been eating because additives don't detract from the natural flavors of whatever I'm eating. I appreciate it and love it. I've gained a new appreciation for food and am opening myself to new ideas and flavors.

My journey was impacted by food first, and what an impact that food has had on me!