Family

Reflection

When I entered this journey of self and China, I had no idea of the country I was traveling to. I knew that my roommate called China home and I have seen his family of video chat, but all other information was left opened to be soaked and absorbed while abroad.

After my time in China, I don’t think changed is an adequate word for what I experienced, however, I my thoughts and self evolved through my experience in China. I now have a better look into the life of my Chinese brother and the far lands of China. I have a newfound love of a country and family. China has become my forever second home. There are times of homesickness I have.

One of the most difficult borders to cross was the border of language. I was unable to communicate thoroughly with people without the help of my brother. I did manage to try and abridge this border with sign language and my own way of communicating with others. Somehow this never seemed to fail. 

At first it was so strange for my ears to hear no English and only Mandarin…everywhere. It was almost that I was deaf. This was awesome, because it allowed me time to reflect on my journey while I was on it. It was almost like I was traveling with myself, but also had the great pleasure of company.

I do heavily believe that the world is a book, and every page is so intricately woven and written. I feel that only the brave and free minded want to unveil this mystery. Those who choose not too have fallen content with life and unable to see the world for all the beauty that it is.

The statement that Chesterton makes is one that resonates with me. To me this means that one should not just travel to say I have been to A, B, and C, but to recognize that other lands are not much different that one’s own. There is adventure around us everyday, and it is our duty to find the beauty in every surrounding. One does not need to leave their country or town to see the world. Life happens everywhere, not just in China or New York City.

Overall, I feel that travels have broadened my understanding of humanity and of myself. I challenge everyone to venture outside their comfort zone and inhale the air of true freedom; the air of travel.

The Closing to a New Beginning

After returning from Beijing, I get to enjoy my last 4 days in China. I got to celebrate Pengfei’s birthday, get an International haircut, eat goat, and celebrate Mother’s Day within those four days. I have fully embraced my Chinese life and family.

I have to go back to Shanghai to catch my flight back to America, but we decide to make another road trip of it. The gang reunites, Li Miao, Tian Ji, and Terry venture with us to Shanghai. Although, Didi was unable to join us, I was finally successful with getting a good picture with him.

I’ve never bonded with a group of people so quickly in my life. We became best friends and family in a matter of weeks. Although we never spoke the same traditional meaning of language, we did speak friendship and willingness to learn about each other as best we could.

My final night in China is one that will never be forgotten. Once arriving in Shanghai we struggle to navigate the crowded and confusing roads of the city, Pengfei soon becomes angered by this, but I find it somewhat comical. I listen to him curse in Chinese and of course I mimic him to add some type of comedic break to the situation.

We wonder the street of Shanghai for our last time as a group this time. After we had enough exploring the unknown city we make our way back to the hotel. We share dinner in the hotel, my last meal in China, and then they decide we must celebrate, so they order the American beer on the menu, Budweiser. To my surprise, it isn’t the normal bottle size. It’s huge.

One round turns to two, three, and four. Soon I find something incredibly funny and cannot contain myself. I erupt in heavy laughter. Soon the whole group follows my cue. The other customers of the restaurant soon take notice and begin staring. We decide we have had enough fun downstairs and make our way up to the rooms.

The last account of the night I have is making the nonsmoking room’s bathroom a smoke box with Li Miao and Tian Ji. We share numerous cigarettes and we communicate verbally. Somehow we understand each other and I’ve realized I’ve not just made friends, but brothers for life.

The next morning I wake for the first time in China, hung-over. Just in time for my long flight back to America. This ought to be interesting. We exchange our goodbyes and I promise I will return to China.

3AM Wakeup Call & The Great Wall

Waking up that morning, we are close to reaching Beijing. We joke about our upgrading and laugh about the event that took place with the people in the ex-cabin assignment. There is an announcement over the intercom and I ask Pengfei to translate for me, for the millionth time it feels like. He explains that it says we are reaching the stop.

After exiting the train terminal we are to find the tour group we are traveling with. Pengfei directs us in the correct spot and I notice the woman and daughter from the cabin we vacated were there. I begin to make the connection that they are apart of the tour group.

The seven of us pile into a van and Pengfei and I take the far backseat. It feels that I have entered a metal oven. I have no idea what anyone is saying and my translator seems to be tired of translating, so I just smile. That’s universal. Pengfei finally decides to tell me they were just asking about the American and the connection he and I share.

After our time spent in the sauna the van stops at the hotel that we are staying at. After arriving there is some dispute with Hotel management about me staying there. The hotel has a policy that no international guests are allowed to stay. Pengfei tells me that I may have to sleep in the lobby. I am soon filled with concern, however; this soon subsides when Pengfei tells me he was only joking.

Before heading to our rooms we caucus with the group to decide what we will be doing in the morning. Pengfei and I were overruled and will be waking up at 3:00am to make our way to see the Chinese flag rise and visit the site of Chairman Mao’s body.

I don’t have much to document about the flag rising, other than I was the only American in the vicinity, and I was given strange looks when seeing Chair Mao’s body. Pengfei and I were exhausted.

The next day we visit the Great Wall of China. Once we arrive Pengfei and I want to make as much distance between the tour group, and us, so that is exactly what we do. Once reaching the entrance of the Wall, we take off. We are only allotted a certain amount of time, so we begin running because we need to make it the highest point.

I nearly faint twice because of the heat and elevation, but I push forward. Upon reaching our destination, I am filled with a euphoric feeling. All the blood that is rushing through my body and the amazing view that I whiteness. I am in China, I keep thinking to myself. I am one in the sea of many on this wall, and I am alive.

A Train Ride to Beijing

I haven’t been picky at all with what we do while I am in China. I have left most of the plans up to Pengfei. He insists that we go to the capital of China, Beijing before I have to leave China. It is said by natives, that you cannot say you have been to China until you reach the highest point on the Great Wall of China, so that is exactly what we plan to do.

Pengfei’s family sets up the details of the trip for us. We decide to join a tour group in Beijing to cut down on coast and see as much of the city as we can. The plot twist of this is, it’s an all-Chinese tour group and the instructor barely speaks English.

To reach Beijing we take a train from Hangzhou. This is my first extensive train ride I’ve ever been on. It seem that China is managing to take a variety of my virginity, and I quite like it. What a better place to do so. A place that is so foreign to me yet begins to feel so much like a new home with new friends and family.

Upon entering the train, we usher down the small isle ways to make it to our cabin. I have little knowledge of train cabins, but I thought we had a cabin alone. The reference I have in my mind is Harry Potter and their train travel to Hogwarts. How simple minded I must be you’re thinking. Well, you’re right. The cabin is composed of 6 beds; bunked. At first I am not all that worried.

Pengfei and I claim the top bunks as an older woman and her daughter house the lower two. Any sudden movement vertically and I could practically cripple myself, or a jerk to the one side and I will topple from the top. I feel like the Princess and the Pea.

An elderly man now enters and climbs into the second bunk. He doesn’t smell the fondest and begins to undress to change to more comfortable clothing. Prior to this, Pengfei and I jokingly mentioned upgrading. At this point a joke quickly became reality. We changed upgraded our tickets to a private cabin with two beds and a joining bathroom.

Upon exiting the two women ask what we were doing and Pengfei tells them we are upgrading. They mention that this must be expensive.

We slept very sound that night to say the least. Money really can buy happiness.

Destination: Wenzhou

We have arrived to the National Park in Wenzhou. The air smells fresher here. Although, the elevation is something my body needs to adjust to, breathing here takes a little more effort. Though the other guys don’t seem much phased by this at all.

I am in awe of the natural surroundings that I find myself engulfed by. As I look up I see nothing but stone, greenery, and blue skies. The car ride was long and I am happy to be on foot with my camera in my hand. I instantly begin snapping photos of everything and anything. The guys quickly catch on that this is kind of my thing.

We begin the hike to the highest point we can. There is a good amount of people here as well. I soon realize that I become just as much of a monument as the natural ones surrounding me. A lot of people take notice to me and begin staring as I pass. Some people even extend a broken English, “hello.” I am enjoying the attention, honestly. I jokingly ask myself, “Is this what celebrity feels like?” I feel that the guys I’m with don’t mind the attention either.

I am in the far back, basking in the inspiration that is surrounding me as I continue to photograph. Terry is in the far front of the group basically running. I notice this and begin to play the game. Now Terry, Tian Ji, and myself are running to see who can make it to the top first. Although, we cannot communicate this verbally, somehow we know the competition that lies in this situation.

Li Miao and Pengfei are puffing for air in the tail end and begin to slow. They decide to sit down and rest. I know at this point, I cannot let Pengfei live this down. Our friendship is very brotherly, so anytime we can poke fun at the other we seize the moment. I call him slowpoke and continue the journey to the top.

As I make it to the top somewhere closely behind Terry, I am winded, but not just by the exertion of physical activity, but by the pure beauty that lays ahead of me. I can feel the wind on my face as beads of sweat fall down my forehead, and I inhale a deep breath of air. My lungs fill with China as I close my eyes and know I have arrived.

Tunnels, Music, & Great Company

It is the day Pengfei has been extremely excited for, our road trip to Wenzhou! We gather snacks for the ride and start to assemble our travel team. We are taking two cars. Pengfei will be driving and so will his one friend, Li Miao. First we go to town to pick up little pork dumplings. These little pouches of deliciousness are hands down my favorite breakfast go to.

Li Miao is a friendly, larger, Chinese man. He is always smiling and joking with me. Although, I never fully understand the context of his comedic humor, I still join in a smile and chuckle. He is to blame for the chain smoking I find myself doing while in this country. Before embarking on the long drive ahead, Li Miao gives me a coffee drink in a bottle and Orion Pies.

Then we go to pick up Tian Ji and Terry. Both are incredibly excited for the journey to Wenzhou and their first trip with an American. Terry gives us all apples and Tian Ji, notoriously, brings along maps. He soon becomes the human gps when the electronic one fails to prove itself. The other person accompanying us is Pengfei’s cousin, whom I will refer to as Didi, which means little brother.

Didi treats me like a lab experiment. He gets as close to my face as possible and stares at my eyes, light blue in color. He is fascinated with my differences. He touches and pinches my skin, as well as feeling my hair. I laugh in amusement knowing that he means no harm. I realize that I am the first person that isn’t Asian he has come in contact with. Didi is an ornery young man and will continue to torment me.

While traveling in the car I get to observe the landscape of China and the hills and mountains of majestic greens. We pass many hills that a lot of farming takes place. I can see many of tea bushes and people picking the tea. I’m in awe of this. The highways are so smooth and well funded; there isn’t a pump to cross.

I point out to Pengfei the many of tunnels that we pass through, carved into the many hills of China. We begin a game of counting the tunnels we pass through. This helps pass time, as does the music we keep playing through the car’s speakers.

This is my first International road trip, and I am living, living in the moment of pure happiness.

Mulberries

Rise & Shine

The following morning, as I begin to wake up, the sun is shining brightly through the windows into my bedroom. It feels like I have slept all morning into early afternoon. I begin to feel bad, thinking I have missed a lot of opportunities this morning.  I reach for my cell phone to check the time, and the phone reads 6:00am.

I get myself ready for the day and I exit my room that is on the left side of the house. My room is the only bedroom on this floor. I walk down the hallway to the living room to see if anyone is there, and the room is empty. Returning to the hallway I see one of the maids and I say hello to them in Mandarin. I have now decided that Pengfei is still fast asleep.

I wonder outside of the house into the surround yard and begin walking around. I sit by the pond that is by the house and just take in the moment. I see other people of the family up early doing chores and smiling at me. I exchange a smile and wave.

Soon Pengfei emerges from the house and tells me that we are going to see his family’s mulberry fields. This is part of his family’s many businesses. I’m very excited to see the fields and taste a mulberry. I quickly become in love with the taste of mulberries. They are officially one of my favorite berries. I find it hard to stop eating them.

We stay at the mulberry fields until lunch and then we return to the house to eat. We eat with the family and workers. Today I taste some of the most flavorful pork. His family also owns the 5^th largest hog farm in the region of China they are from.

Soon I will be embarking on an adventure within an adventure. I will soon be meeting Pengfei’s friends and we will be going on a road trip to Wenzhou, which houses a Chinese National Park.

From Tea to Alcohol & Chopsticks

Cups of tea soon turn into cups of alcohol. Family members begin arriving and are so friendly. They say “hello” to me in English. Their accent shines through, which makes it that much better. Their warm smiles rub off onto me. The feeling I have at this moment is amazing.

The food that is brought out smells so fragrant and lovely. The waitress tries to give me silverware, but I kindly refuse. I had practiced using chopsticks for a good two months after I decided on accompanying Pengfei back to China, so I will be damn if I don’t put those skills to use.

The food is placed in the center of the table and I am given a bowl. I do as everyone else and fill my bowl with white rice and begin taking food from the plates in the center with my chopsticks. The family watches and giggles as I maneuver my chopsticks to grab food.  It’s all in good fun. It hasn’t been a full day in China yet, and I have already fallen in love with the food and people.

After eating, Pengfei tells me to grab my glass and follow him around as he introduces me to everyone. As I am introduced, each family member “cheers” me. I wasn’t aware until now, that when a person “cheers” you in China you are to try to tap your glass lower than theirs to show respect and then you are to drink the entire content of the glass. Needless to say, I have been in China less than 6 hours and I am already drunk.

Once the dinner party ends, Pengfei tells me that he want to get his haircut. His aunt is a hairdresser, so we go to her business. When we arrive the other shops are all closed and she unlocks the gate to her salon and we enter. Pengfei gets his haircut and his aunt gives me a box of delicious Chinese cookies to keep. I am so thankful. So many kind gestures by people I have only known for a collective of 3 hours.

I notify Pengfei that I need to pee, however, her shop does not have a restroom, so I follow him to an alley. My first night and China and not only am I intoxicated, but I am also urinating in a dark alley. This trip is bound to be for the books.

Car Ride Snacks

Translation: Welcome to China

As we approach the exit, a woman appears dressed well in a bright dress and sunglasses that cover her face. She begins talking loudly as Pengfei approaches her. I realize this is his mother and our ride from the airport.

We enter the parking deck and a white van comes zooming at a high speed around the corner, stops and gets out and grabs my bag to place in the back. I enter and sit in the van as Pengfei tells me this is his brother-in-law. From the moment I get in the van, Pengfei exhibits his host skills as he gives me a bottle of water, which soon becomes my water of choice while staying in China, and a type of Chinese cookie.

We being to make our way out of Shanghai, and instantly my observation skills kick in. I quickly get my camera out of my bag and begin snapping pictures. The number of buildings that are constructed so closely to each other astonishes me. These buildings are apartment complexes to house the millions of people that call China home.

I keep catching his brother-in-law looking in the mirror at me, but quickly look away when I notice in the mirror. I find this to be funny. I am being examined. I am completely the outsider now. The only American I know of in the radius. One would think this is frightening, but to me this is liberating and refreshing.

It happens to be Pengfei’s mother’s birthday. I will refer to her as mama. We are headed to a restaurant to celebrate mama’s birthday and Pengfei and my arrival. I am a little nervous because Pengfei has told me the number of people that will be attending. It is at this time I realize how much large his family is.

We arrive to the restaurant and make our way to the main door crossing over little bridges that go over water. In the water live the fish and turtles the restaurant uses in their dishes.

Upon entering the building I am observing everything, from the construction of the building to the way the room is set up. So far, I am very much impressed. The hostess leads us to the three rooms that have been reserved for us. I pick a seat at the table with mama and Pengfei and the waitress pours me a cup of tea. This is my first cup of tea in China.

Dramamine & An Isle Seat

I’m not much of a sleeper when it comes to plane travel, perusal, and my secret weapon, Dramamine, has betrayed me. As does my kindness for letting Pengfei have the window seat. I look over and he is sound asleep. Nothing could wake him.

One of my favorite things to do while on the plane is watch that little screen that is directly in front of my face. This is when my geeky love of travel sets in. I love knowing the altitude we currently are at, the temperature, the geographic region we are, and the estimated time of arrival. None of these change too drastically, yet my eyes are glued to the changing screen. Finally my body gives in and I fall asleep.

As I wake up, the little screen has finally changed. We are about two hours from landing. The flight attendants are coming around to serve us breakfast. At this point, it gives me an excuse to awake Pengfei, so I no longer have to sit in solitude.

Shortly after breakfast, the flight attendant that has been watching me the entire flight gives me two little pouches. They look like pencil holders with the zipper on top, although, the contents are far from office supplies. The pouches contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, face-cleaning wipe, and slippers. I thank attendant with a smile and say thank you. Soon I realize that no one around us received the bag. This was finally affirming that I wasn’t being conceded with the thought that he found be attractive. Pengfei laughs when I tell him why we received these goodie bags.

The captain’s announcement is sounding. The same rehearsed announcement this man probably says when arriving to the destination of every flight. We have made it! My adrenaline begins to pump. I’m finally going to see what China looks like, the air smells like, and how the people interact. When getting off the plane I am engulfed with a sea of people. A sea that is aggressively making it’s way to the exit. I either keep up with Pengfei or down in the waves.

Once reaching the exit, Pengfei is on his phone speaking in Mandarin. This is the point of the trip where Pengfei not only is my friend, but also quickly becomes my translator. The roles have switched and now he must take care of me.

The Luggage, Drive, & Plane

The day I have been eagerly awaiting is here! It is time to jet set to a new destination, a land I know little of, except for the stories I hear from Pengfei. Who happens to be roommate freshmen and sophomore year of college. This adventure not only broadens my outlook on the world, but also the trust I have instilled in our friendship.

We have scheduled out our last day of school strategically. We both have our room packed into various boxes and we are ready to leave. We decide that we will be staying at my house for the night and then going to the airport from there. Once we have gotten settled back at my house, the excitement sets in and minutes feel like hours and hours feel like days. Counting down the every second until it is time to depart to the airport.

This is the longest flight I have ever taken. Pengfei qualifies as a professional flyer to China in my eyes, since he has taken this flight a total of two times prior. It is our bright idea that we will stay up the entire night, that way we sleep on the plane. China is exactly 24 hours ahead of U.S. time. It is with this logic we feel we will sync to the Chinese clock.

As the night progresses we are doing anything to stay awake. We are listening to music, talking about China, the adventure that will soon be taking place, and video chatting with his cousin back in China, of whom I will quickly become his new “American Friend.”

The time has arrived and we begin filling the trunk of the car with the items we deemed desirable to pack and we begin the trek to Cleveland, which is 1 hour and 30 minutes away.

Once getting on the plane it finally begins to hit me. I will be in China within the next 18 hours. I’m so excited. Once we board the second plane, the plane that takes us straight to Shanghai, I feel alleviated. I can finally sleep! I pop out my secret to extensive plane travel; Dramamine. Soon I will be sleeping like a baby.

Before dosing off, I begin to notice that the flight attendant has taken a liking to me. As we continue to exchange shared glances. This has got to be one of the first signs that this amazing adventure is just what I needed.