From A to B

I've been on a bike more this year than any other, and I've thought a lot about our modes of transportation (thanks, SMG). Since my trip to China, I've stepped back into this side of the world, where everyone is dependent on cars to get around. I wish I could walk outside the door and see people, not vehicles. It's strange not to know your neighbors, and how much emphasis is placed on manners in the first stages of meeting someone. I don't think this is such an issue in Asia. People may have invaded some personal space and stated things I would consider rude during my travels abroad, but there was always unpredictable human interaction to observe. Sometimes it's just too quiet around here and I need to find that excitement myself.

Traffic in China is absolutely ridiculous. It's not gridlock, it's a collective consciousness of flowing harmony. Whereas everyone here stays in their lane, signals when changing lanes and then waves to excuse themselves, drivers in China can sense the presence of others, yielding instead of using aggression (like Tai Chi vs. Kickboxing). This resembles chaos, but it is rare to see accidents, which is hard to say about the Capital Beltway. People are not alert to their surroundings here, much like they are not aware of the dynamics of interdependence. Also, I never witnessed road rage in China.

When I explain the concept of pain to my patients, I often use traffic to illustrate the blockage of qi in our pathways. Maybe there was an accident (trauma), a construction zone (excess), or everyone is going under the speed limit (deficiency). All of these things will affect the flow of qi, the energy that helps to nourish our body, and stimulating certain points will help to unblock the stagnation while relieving pain.

After looking for videos on driving and biking in China, I started feeling a bit carsick. I remember having to close my eyes sitting in the back of a taxi in the beginning, or constantly ringing my bell on my bike to let people know I was approaching. Think about being a pedestrian in this. In most taxis in Hangzhou, a clear divider between driver and passenger is standard. This is to protect the driver so no one can strangle him from behind or attempt to assault him. I never really thought about how dangerous of a job it was for them until I took cabs every day for $1.50/ride. I also had to get used to being rejected a ride (in the pouring rain) if I wasn't going in the same direction as the driver. Eventually I gave up and walked home. If you have some time, watch this video and pay attention to the bike ponchos in the rain, people holding their umbrellas on bike, the pedestrians, the cargo on foot and bicycle, and how there is no such thing as "too close."

Living Abroad

I am blogging from BLOG INN. It is situated on the eastern side of the city of Hangzhou, surrounded by fruit stands, steamed buns, tea eggs and doughnut omelettes. There are random noises of construction, chanting, children wailing and men whistling. I am regularly sleeping with earplugs and an eyemask, realizing that city life just aint for me. Living in a hotel and eating out every meal (or substituting meals for junk food/fruit on my shelf) isn't as exciting as I had imagined. At least the food is dirt cheap-$1 fresh Muslim noodle soup-score!



There are always inconveniences to traveling but seeing how drastic my life has changed in China during these few weeks is definitely surprising. I miss my family but I can skype with them on a regular basis, which makes it all so much easier. Having a cousin to visit in Shanghai automatically makes me feel close and comfortable too. I'm putting a lot of energy forth into making the most of each day and my time here. There are the awesome moments when I see a man towing 50 wicker chairs by bicycle as I dodge multiple people crossing my path, people carrying soup to-go in a bag, the whiff of herbs in the air, the sincerity of Hangzhou locals, and the 30m tall golden buddhas at Lingyin Temple.
Shopping has been a challenge. Clothes are made so cheap here, and it shows. Luckily I was able to go to the Silk District today to find a few special items. Most of my Mandarin conversations with the salespeople go something like this:

They say something about me liking what they have in store, would you like to try on?...

Me: I'm sorry, I don't understand. I'm American.
X: What? You don't understand? You look Chinese! (Americans are blonde!)
Me: I'm not Chinese. I'm from Washington. My mom and dad are Vietnamese.
X: Vietnam?! Your eyes are very big! Beautiful.
Me: Thank you :) How much does this cost?
X: (An amount that is absurdly cheap for the garment in American standards)
Me: Too expensive!

and if I really like it, the bargaining begins...


It may not be smart to admit I'm American since they will automatically jack up the price, but I can only pretend I'm deaf for so long. If I'm not into it, there is awkward staring, sizing me up, telling their coworkers...I walk away slowly, they follow closely behind, handing me the most distasteful attire and I question whether I look like I would wear that. I should probably dress up more to go shopping but my theory is if they think I can't afford it I'll get a better price! I find it hilarious that this happens at every shop I set foot inside. I don't bother explaining that I'm not from Washington state, because I'm sure they only know of CA, NY and DC, just like I only knew of Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. I never had a clue that this city of 6 million people was the hometown of TCM and had so much history as the capital of Zhejiang province.