Changed Perspectives

Living in another country, any country, is bound to teach you new things, open your eyes to new ways of living and change your perspective on who you are and what your role is in this world. If it doesn't, then you're not truly "living" in another country.

We learn small things every day here that alter our preconceived notions of how daily activities must be performed.

• We were surprised when we first went to purchase trash cans at the store and all they sold were really small ones. But it makes sense now...first, this allows us to monitor how much we really are wasting and tossing out and reevaluate what we're consuming. Second, we take our trash out on a regular basis now...it doesn't really smell and the house stays cleaner because waste stays in the apartment for less time. Third, the "trash man" makes his rounds to our apartment at least 3 times a day. He rides his pedicab cart around the neighborhood and sorts through everyone's "trash" to pull out recyclables. This way, the recycling is done for everyone and there is never a pile of waste or a dumpster of stench sitting outside our apartment building.
• Grocery shopping is done almost daily by the Chinese. You buy what you need for that meal/day and that's it. Every trip to the grocery can be done using the little hand baskets...rarely have I seen a local with a cart full of goods (exceptions = rice and oil). I have still yet to master this and often shop only once a week, but I see the value and meaning in this shopping ritual and I have high hopes to master it in due time. 1) While more and more Chinese are purchasing cars, many still rely on bikes, buses, foot, or taxi...buying a load of groceries at once is illogical for someone who can't fit them all on their bike. 2) Buying too many groceries at once means the food is that much less fresh the longer it sits in your kitchen. Why buy Friday's groceries on Monday when you can buy them on Friday and they'll taste that much better? Plus, there are so many fresh, local fruit and vegetable markets around...why would you want anything less than fruits/veggies picked that day? 3) If the food sits too long, it rots and is wasted. There aren't the level of preservatives in foods/produce in China as there are in the States. The food tastes more natural and subconsciously I feel better about what I'm eating, knowing that it wasn't genetically enhanced or altered to look nicer or last longer. But it also means it goes bad quicker. No sense in buying your eggplant for next week when it will be floppy and soft way before then.
• I have never been more content NOT having a car. Actually, I've never been "without car" in my life until now. Since I was 16, I've owned a vehicle and relied on it to get me everywhere. I never realized the stress that comes along with it. Yes, it is convenient...and in most of the U.S. it is unfathomable to be able to get around without your own car (we have SO much to learn in terms of public transportation). But along with the freedoms having your own car brings, there is the cost of gas/insurance/car payments/maintenance, the stress of being SO dependent on something that could pop a tire, blow a belt, or do any number of things to completely alter your daily activities...not to mention the fact that you always have to have a DD or other plans when you're out for the night having some drinks :) While it's somewhat alarming to see the transition of the Chinese culture to a car consuming society, they still have public transportation that will do you just fine if you want to avoid the chaos of driving yourself around. Buses, pedicabs, taxis, eBikes, walking, subways, trains. You can get anywhere in this enormous country (and for very cheap) without your own car. I have so enjoyed riding my bike, getting my very own Chinese bus pass, and just walking to get where I need. It has definitely changed my perspective on where I want to live and work if/when we move somewhere else...living somewhere close enough that I can bike to/from work/grocery/restaurants/friends is a priority. (Fort Collins, I never appreciated or made use of your wonderful bike-friendliness until now :) )

Oddly, while living in a country that has a reputation for it's unregulated pollution and lack of personal hygiene (I can't argue against either of those claims...both unfortunately very true), I have come away with a stronger desire and appreciation for a more sustainable way of life. Less waste...buy/eat local and fresh...use public transportation. I admit this is not something I imagined I'd learn here. I thought after living in Fort Collins, CO that I already knew, understood and appreciated how to live "greener"...but honestly, I didn't embrace it as fully as I should have or could have. I sometimes imagine life back in FoCo and how amazing it would be to ride my bike everywhere, shop at the farmer's markets, and be a part of a CSA...why wasn't I doing more of that when I actually lived there???

I guess all I can say is "Thank You, China" for this change in perspective.

Home is Where the Food Is

A few weeks back, a local friend of ours, Jacky, invited us over to his home to join in on a traditional Chinese feast of foods. Upon arrival, we got the grand tour of his new apartment, were treated to teas/beers, and lookedat engagement photos of he and Zhou (his fiance)...which by the way, the Chinese don't kid around about. These photos were bono-fide professional, straight out of an advertisement or high fashion photo shoot. Apparently, ALL of the Chinese do this when they get engaged. We've seen them out with their entourage on nice days...make-up artist, costume changes, trunks of photo equipment...it's fabulous :) Anyway, they looked like rock stars and we are so excited to be going to their wedding on April 24...another post about that I'm sure.

Back to the food though. As we sat at the table with Zhou and her sister, table FULL of bowls with delicious little treats (some identifiable, while others remained a mystery hiding under sauces and breading). Prawns, fruit cakes, edamame, corn, rice noodles, bamboo shoots...we barely had room for a small bowl to eat from. Using our manners, we let our mouths salivate as we waited for the host, Jacky, to join us from the kitchen. After awhile, Zhou, who speaks little English, yelled into him, which prompted him to tell us to PLEASE start eating, he would be in the kitchen awhile longer cooking the rest of the meal. THE REST? "You mean there's more?" We inquired. Sure enough, as we ate to our hearts content, large bowls were condensed to small bowls, small bowls were emptied and taken from the table, only to be replaced by more large bowls of hot food. Fish soup, sweet, sticky rice, cooked green vegetables, shrimp...the mound of disembodied/inedible seafood parts was growing in front of Erich each time I looked over. I was pleasantly surprised to see that as I glanced at Zhou's small-framed sister, that her pile was twice as tall as Erich's :) And since Zhou is also somewhat of a vegetarian (who only eats seafood), there were vegetable options galore. By the end of the meal, of course, we made room for a few beers and card playing, but I don't think you could've fed us another bite.

Something about that night made it feel like home...a home away from home. Granted, the food was different than what most American families would cook for a get-together, but the love and care that went into the meal was there. It was the best meal I've had since we've been here and it wasn't necessarily because of the food (which by all means was absolutely delicious...I made Jacky promise to give me some lessons so that I could cook some proper Chinese meals for our family/friends this summer). The spirit of friendship and family was there.

And now, with Cup O' Joe up and running, we hope we can offer the same sense of belonging, family, and support to locals and expats that our friends in China offer to us. Week one has passed and the cafe has easily become a go-to spot for many locals to grab some fresh bread, get their caffeine fix, or use a non-squat toilet :) They even got a shipment of what I call "monkey bread" from the French bakery that the cafe purchase breads/pastries from. I never thought I could feel my grandma next to me when she is so far away...as I bit into a slice of the nutty, cinnamon-y, carmelized goodness, I closed my eyes and was transported to her kitchen early in the morning, with the smells of coffee and sounds of morning chatter in the background.

Food is universal. Love is universal. We are lucky to be surrounded by lots of both.