Reflections

Last week, I attended my second COS (close of service) conference. In Mali it was a big deal. We stayed at a hotel with air conditioning, hot water, and cheese! In China, most volunteers get those luxuries whenever we want. It wasn’t nearly as exciting. I also don’t feel as connected to this group of volunteers. I think one reason is we never see each other. All (or nearly all) volunteers have internet in our homes so maybe we get more support from family and friends back in the states, and we don’t need each other as much here. Or maybe we had more regional spirit in Mali. Whatever the reasons, I met a lot of people at the COS conference for the first time (who knew that there are 3 volunteers 15 minutes away?). I thought the volunteers that organized it did a fabulous job. We had “yearbooks” for people to sign. At first I thought, lame, but after seeing so many people sign I joined in. When I got my book back at the end, I saw that 2 people signed (and one of my bosses, but that really doesn’t count).

Mai and me (West Africa Transfers, what what!)

Becca and me (at the same training site)

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my past few years in PC and post PC. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to serve in 2 countries. Transfers before told me you can’t compare the 2 countries, but I don’t think it’s possible NOT to. Your first country was your life for the past 2 years. You developed friendships, new ideas, and understanding of a different culture. I think it’s important to realize that even though you are still a PCV, you will probably have2 ENTIRELY different experiences.
Amy and me (Transfers from Mali, eh allah!)

On Friday night, I went to see my friend Julia. (Her Chinese name is Juan, so I tried to use a lot of the same letters to create her English name). As I was shutting my door, I thought, where are you keys? AND, they were inside. I didn’t want to miss my flight, so I just left and decided that I would just have to deal with it when returning. 3 buses that I needed passed me because they were filled to the max. I really didn’t want to miss my flight, so I ended up taking a cab. I’m really cheap, so I began my vacation in Chengdu, beginning with the cab ride. In typical fashion, my flight was delayed.
I got a kick out of this sign in the Chengdu Airport bathroom

I got in at 1:00 am, and was delighted to see Julia waiting on me. I kept on thinking about worst case scenarios, i.e. what if Julia forgets? What if… We went to her apartment and slept until 10:30. We had a fabulous lunch! I had beef, mushrooms, bell peppers with noodles. YUM. That afternoon, we walked around a park. Because it was a national holiday, there were so many people.
Line to the bathroom

Julia and me at the park

Kid

Another sign I thought was funny

After walking around in the park, we went to the beach. Let me tell you, sunshine rocks my world! Qingdao was FULL of sunshine! I have to carry the memory of sunshine with me. The beach was so crowded.


People were digging for little crabs for pets? Dinner? I’d imagine pets.

We had rice noodles for dinner.
The next day, we were going to go to Laoshan Mountain, but we got started too late. Instead we went to the 2008 Olympic Site for Sailing.

There was a precious little girl with her daddy!

Well, I decided to ask if I could get my picture taken with her (I’ve been asked this more than once…might as well return the favor). She put up her little hand in a W sign, saw me, and ran away. It reminded me of Mali, except she didn’t scream bloody murder. So, her mom got in the picture with us.


Julia and I sat for hours, just talking and eating snacks.
Julia eating seaweed

Relaxing in the sunshine

Julia and me posing with the mascot for the Shanghai’s Expo, Haibao

Imagine my excitement when I saw the Haagen Dazs sign!!

And, my disappointment when I went to buy ice cream…

We then went to another park. The grass was so green! Kite flying was quite popular. These 2 girls came up to me to say hello. It was really cute.

A boy with his kite

We then went to a market. It reminded me a bit of the market in Accra. Julia was trying to pay her internet to no avail. She went to 4 different places. She kept on getting the run around. I was somewhat relieved that it just isn’t a foreigner thing. We had another fabulous dinner including eggplant, squid, and tofu.
Yes, there is Walmart and Pizza Hut in Qingdao

Lala

Puppies!

Chicks!

The next day, we went to Laoshan Mountain. We left early, which was good because it took us about 2 hours to get there (via public transportation). I remembered my lesson from visiting Yosemite. I didn’t bring enough water in ’07 and learned my lesson. So, I brought a big bottle of water. It was so beautiful! The higher you went the quieter and more peaceful it was. We hung out with a family (the daughter thought I was cool…what can I say ;) We hiked to a cave. We were 95% there, but didn’t know it at the time, and the family had to go back. We only saw a few other people. I saw a few people with their shoes off. I saw their shoes and wanted to say, really? You thought THAT was a good idea? But, I can’t say that in Chinese. It’s probably better that way.



What some Chinese women wear for hiking

Julia cooked a delicious meal before I left. She prepared shrimp, tofu, eggplant, pumpkin, shells, and pork with vegetables. It was wonderful!

My mini-vacation was great! It was awesome hanging out with Julia in China! Yea for sunshine, friendships, and days off work!
View of Chengdu from the airplane…it’s under all the pollution