First weeks in Beijing - August 19
Wow! China is not at all what I expected. Some parts of the city
are beautiful, others - not so much. I have a newfound gratitude for
the things that we take for granted in the US. Driving through the
city, you see streets filled with trash, muddy & unpaved “parking
lots”, goats and sheep walking in herds down the street. You then
turn the corner and everything is well manicured and spotless. One
of the most heartbreaking things we have seen was one evening while
we were out for dinner. We has just finished a plentiful meal where
we were waited on by a staff of 6 or so (there were perhaps 10 in our
party). We had to walk along a crowded street to get to our driver
and there was a girl close to Madeline’s age begging for money or
food. Her mother made her follow us down the street to try and get
close to Madeline. I know the mother was trying to get to David and
me by sending her child to beg. One of our friends who speaks
Mandarin stepped in to control the situation. The juxtaposition of
lives from that girl to Madeline’s was difficult to see. Madeline
lives every day treated like a princess compared to that child.
Yesterday enjoyed the first sunny day since our arrival. Good news
because I was getting a little depressed. The language barrier is
very frustrating. I had a total meltdown yesterday after trying to
order a bottle of water for the flat. (Yes, I did say flat. After
referring to our apartment umpteen times and each time hearing “Oh,
your flat.” I give up. OK, fine its a “flat”.) The grocery store -
don’t even get me started. I know that each day things will get easier.
Madeline started school on Monday, the same as Fulton County. Her
teacher is Canadian and seems very excited about teaching. Madeline
has the “I have no friends blues”, but yesterday she was talking
about a British girl who she played with at recess. I guess that is
progress. My heart aches for her when she says that she misses
home, but I know how she feels. Last night we had ice cream with a
family from New Zealand. A family just like ours; mom, dad &
daughter. It was good for both Madeline and me to have some social
interaction. I find that people (at least the adults) are polite,
but not necessarily friendly or inclusive. I’ll try to reserve final
judgement until we’ve been here for a while.
I am working on finding a driver and a housekeeper. Apparently that
will be the key to my learning Mandarin as well as to my sanity. Not
that I need someone to look after the house and drive us around, but
rather they can save one from humiliating experiences like the one I
had yesterday with the bottle of water. After so many years of being
self sufficient it is hard to rely on others. (I have other issues
accepting “servitude” from another, but that is another rant all
together.) As soon as we find a bigger place, I’ll be on board.
This weekend some folks from Apple arrive. We will do some touristy
stuff - Great Wall, Tiananmen Square - and then to The Courtyard for
dinner. The Courtyard is supposed to be one of the best restaurants
in the city. We’ll see. Thus far the food has been rather “exotic”.
How are things at home? I hope “Pretty” (the car) is treating you well.
The telephone situation is still unresolved. The best way to
communicate is via e-mail. Please keep in touch with the “local
news”! You can check out our blog at www.db3.net/blog to see photos
and more. There are technical difficulties at the moment, but it
should be back up soon! There is a saying among Westerners when
things don’t go as planned: “China wins again!”. In this case, it
proves true.
Stay well. We miss you very much!
Lisa
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