Friday, July 11, 2014

10 Things I've Learned So Far in China

  1. In only 8 days it is entirely possible to change your speech patterns. When I return, watch for my new stilted language (I leave out a lot of filler words), slow speaking and exaggerated mouth and hand gestures.
  2. It is entirely possible to eat peanuts and cashews for lunch and be full until dinner.
  3. People in other cultures aren't that different from us when it is all boiled down....they love their children and are proud of their accomplishments.  They celebrate with family and friends. And, they have homes to run and jobs to do.
  4. You CAN order food or buy things when you don't speak their language and they don't speak yours if you have a calculator and hand gestures!
  5. I will never again take water for granted: being able to drink it from a sink and flush paper in a toilet!
  6. I will never again take for granted: clothes dryers, real toilets, diversity in food choices and competent air conditioning.
  7. When you got to go, you got to go and you CAN use a squatty potty in emergencies.  It's not fun, but it can be done.
  8. Shopping is a universal language.
  9. Some of the best things you will see and do are found totally by accident.
  10. Hearing "you are beautiful" everyday doesn't ever get old.
Bonus: Being flexible and viewing everything as a new adventure/experience goes a LONG way!

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