Home Again

After a whirlwind trip back to the U.S., here we are again. Hard to believe that a year ago, we were nervously boarding a plane half-way around the world, not knowing what was in store for us. For certain, we did not think Erich would be running a Western cafe/community center that we love and is our home away from home. Nor did we think we'd be considering a third year here after my 2-year contract was up.

As we woke up this first morning back in China, a little groggy from our travels, I was uncertain how I would feel...un/comfortable? missing the U.S. already? excited? nervous? nothing? It was just another sunny morning, seventeen stories above the rest of Beilun. Took a shower, had my tea, did a little unpacking, made a list of things to do. It wasn't until I decided to leave and run errands that anysort of clarity came to me. I got my bag together, grabbed my bike, headed down the elevator and turned the old iPod on shuffle. As I mounted the bike and pushed off in front of our building, "Jai Ho" came on, the sun seemed to shine for me in a sky of blue dotted with puffy white clouds, and a breeze rushed through my sunglasses. I was invigorated. "Welcome Home" the morning seemed to be saying to me. I smiled, knowing that I was meant to be nowhere but here. These are the moments that anyone lives for...to feel that you have a place and purpose and that it is exactly where you are and what you are doing. These things change, but in this moment in time, I know this is my place and this is where I am happiest.

Our trip back to the U.S. was fabulous. Thank you to all of the friends and family that made time to hang out and catch up! And to those of you who we couldn't, know we were thinking of you and hope that next time we're back, we can meet up.

Having been out of the country for a year, there are definite differences that stood out as we entered the good ol' U.S. of A. Some more notable than others, some are expected while others may seem weird, but here goes my attempt at explaining a few:

1) Food. The most noticeable and consistent difference for me. The large portions, salt, sugar, and fat in our (American) foods is unbelievable. Also, we have a lot of pre-packaged, pre-cooked, preserved foods available both in groceries and in restaurants. Most chain restaurants in the U.S. don't really "cook" anything...they dethaw, recook and serve. All of the food items were already made and shipped from somewhere else. In Beilun, for the most part, you go to a restaurant and you can see the staff out back washing the fruits and vegetables. They are fresh and seasonal, likely bought from the same market that we go to. And it makes a difference...the food tastes better. Americans alsoeat very heavy and large portions. Erich and I went to a "Chinese" restaurant in Ohio to compare food and taste and found it to be very "Americanized". Almost none of the options were Chinese foods we had seen or heard of in China. They had more meat and noodles/rice with less vegetables than real Chinese food. The spices were too complex and overdone...too sweet, too salty, too much. The portion sizes were unbelievable...we left with enough food for 5 more people to have eaten. Ugh, and you just feel heavy when you walk out the door. No wonder after every meal in the U.S. Erich took a nap. So, yes, it looks like I'm hounding on American diet and food intake...because I am. I was also guilty of indulging in foods that are not good for you in amounts that exceed what I really need while in the States, but it left me wanting to go back to China...where there aren't McDonald's and Starbucks on every corner, where instead there are fresh fruit and veggie stands on every street, where the average local would prefer a large glass of fresh squeezed watermelon juice to a cola any day, where the average Chinese person doesn't know how to use a conventional can opener because they don't eat preserved foods. I bought a book called "The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite" at the airport to learn more about this. I'm about halfway through and would highly recommend...it focuses on the brain science behind our eating patterns and decisions in the U.S., how our foods have been engineered and changed over time, and the ways that the food industry and society support these habits. Very eye opening.

2) Seclusion.In China, you can't go a day without talking to and interacting with many many people. You go to the store and talk to the taxi driver, you have a drink at Cup O' Joe and a curious Chinese person comes over to chat, you ride your bike down the street and see a family you know so stop to ask how summer is going. I found that in the U.S., you could easily go through your entire day without much interacting at all. Maybe it's having our own cars that makes this somewhat of an issue. When you take a taxi or bus, you're communicating to others where you want to go, where are they going, directions, etc. In your own car, you are alone, you make the decisions without having to explain, and as you drive on the highway to your destination with your window up and AC on, you find yourself in a bubble away from the rest of the world. Other than that, there are our houses...in China, most everyone lives in high rise apartments. You know your neighbors, you see them in the elevator and walking around the neighborhood. You interact. In the U.S. your house is separated from your neighbors by land, fences, and plants. We actively seek this seclusion and privacy and now-a-days, neighbors sometimes don't even know each other. Maybe some of it also stems from the fear and crime that our (American) society sensationalizes...which leads me to my next observation...

3) Crime and safety. I have yet to feel in danger or feared crime in China. It is so safe here...no one, not even police, carry a gun, incidences of robbery/thieves are rare, and the people make deals based on mutual trust and keeping your word. When fishing in Arkansas this summer, Erich and I saw a large rifle peaking out from a blanket where we checked in for poles and a boat. Huh? Really? Why? That alone struck me with more discomfort and fear than any and all situations I've experienced in China. In Beilun (about 600,000 people), kids can safely play all around the neighborhood without fear or restriction (just watch out for the unruly motor bikes), you can travel, walk, or bike alone at all hours and feel secure even if you're lost, you can disagree with a local and not fear they will pull a gun or harm you physically. The number one crime in China (according to a few Chinese friends) is embezzlement and bribery. While these are not admirable crimes in any way, I will take them any day to the murders, abuses and robberies you see in America every day.

4) Personal space and courtesy. So I've been pretty anti-U.S. in my blog so far...apologies...I really do love America; but I love China too (and China has faults of it's own...trust me). One thing that I do miss and wish there were more of in China is the recognition of personal space and courtesy to other people that Americans have. For example, during my trip to the store this morning in Beilun, I was nearly t-boned by a car who wanted to drive on the sidewalk where I was riding my bike, I had loads of people running into me without looking or recognizing that I existed in the store, and it is not uncommon for someone to literally pick up items in my cart and rummage around to see what I've decided to purchase. Yes, this is what makes China China and yes, I do kind of enjoy it (it adds to the lack of isolation as stated earlier), but sometimes an "Excuse me", or "I'm sorry" would be nice. I've learned to deal with it here and "feel the love" of the Chinese wherever I go, but it is a big change.

5) Last and most important, friends and family. We have been lucky to have developed a great network of friends and sense of community here in China, but we still love and miss the family and friends from the U.S. It was refreshing to be in the comfort of our family and friends for the past 2 weeks. It had been a year and catching up with many of you was long overdue. We realize how much we are missing out on the lives of those who are most important to us by being so far away. We can't be there to welcome a newborn into the family, to join in on traditions of the holidays, to help a loved one who is sick, or to just grill out and catch up on the lives and thoughts of friends. It's a big bummer, but at the same time, we are enjoying the opportunities to make new friends and have unforgettable experiences and memories with them in China. Thank goodness for Skype, Facebook, email and Magic Jack, but we can always use more time with you all. So don't hesitate to send us emails, respond to this blog, just say hey on Facebook, or forward photos of what's exciting in your world. We love you all and cherish any time you make for us.