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Yulin It was a three hour drive by bus from Nanning to Yulin. I imagined it would take me forever, but to my surprise and joy I fell asleep and the three hours passed by quickly. Just in case I brought my Nintendo DS, but I never had time to beat the high score because I could only play 30 minutes before the bus arrived at it's destination. Yulin looked like an old town. It also had big buildings, but still looked more traditional with people sitting outside, trying to sell their goods to the people passing by. I met the sister and her . The could speak some English, but my girlfriend translated everything I was saying. We had lunch and it felt a bit strange yet also comfortable. Her sister smiled and seemed a very cheerful person. After dinner she drove us around town and for the first time I felt I was really on a vacation. I felt more relaxed then I've ever been before in these two weeks. I was relaxed and comfortable and me and my girlfriend held hands. The family was great. The mom smiled when I gave her a cooking book. It was all about Dutch recipes in English, but I hoped her would be able to translate. Her brother had a thing for tea, so he shared it with me. I love tea, so it wasn't a problem at all. He poured hot water over the tea leafs and mixed it all together. After that he removed the leafs before the hot fluid reached the little cup. It tasted great and since the cup wasn't big at all it was filled again after I finished. More family arrived and all shook my hands and made photo's. I took it in a smiling way. I never liked making photo's of myself, but this was kinda fun and I will never forget those happy faces. So now I have a fine collection of photo's at home. It works two ways. Yulin was hot and I was sweating a lot when me, my girlfriend, her sister and her shopped for new clothes. I wanted to buy Tai Chi shoes, but got the whole wardrobe as a gift and I also got a new t-shirt from my girl. I loved it, but it was a bit too hot for me to fit, so I was happy everywhere we had an air conditioner. All was fitted in a very fast way, but it seemed all Ok. The husband of the sister of my girlfriend (a mouthful, but it is how they called his position within the family) had a factory and there they made beef jerky, so I got a small tour and a small taste. I must say what I've tasted was hot, but also very good. So the promotional photo's made there were well deserved. I just hope they will go International. The original day was to stay one day and one night, but it turned out to be two nights and I honestly didn't mind. My girlfriend had the room with the best air conditioner and the bed wasn't bad either, so I had a good sleep. I felt welcomed here and I still miss them. I think I'm accepted within her family. And even though hardly no one was able to speak English to me, I still had a great time. The fact I was part of the family was enhanced when we were going for a renewal of the drivers license of my girl. I sat at the office, waiting as if I lived in Yulin and accompanying my girlfriend and her family was part of daily life. I didn't even notice all the eyes focused at me. Not many foreign people in town, so people looked at me. I didn't mind. They were friendly. And I made school girls giggling while they walked to me during their earthquake collections. My girl gave some of our money and they looked at me with a big grin. It was a strange feeling, but also good. I made people happy by just being there. And that was a new feeling for me. The last day we had jaozi or dumplings. The mom of my girlfriend made them together with her and they tasted good. However it was a lot and since they knew I liked them, they hoped I would eat enough. I know I over ate, but it was good. One had a mushroom filling and the other a meat filling. The meat one was somewhat better, but still both were tasting great When we left for Nanning again I said Thank You. And when I closed the door behind me I knew I would miss them. It was a great experience and for the first time I felt I was really on a vacation in a strange country with friendly people and a family I someday hope to call my own. |
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I could feel your feelings bcoz i've taken my foreigner friends for home visit. The big difference: Europeans are more individual but Chinese are still very family-wised. So if you like family life (not you couple only, but a whole big family!), you can make your further trip into it. Ha, ya, another requisite is : you must like/love eating and spending alot time on it (for gathering and socializing). I know your China family trip may be unforgettable and exotic. But pls take all these into account. otherwise, there will be conflicts of cultural difference. Even between foreingers living long in Chinese land and Chinese who are thought westernized. There are many values (above all, family values) in conflict. Sure, I belive love will somehow solve most of the problems (if not all). But sometimes, maybe love (too much) make it worst.
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It's more Individualim via Unity.
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7/2/2008 12:51 am |
I could feel your feelings bcoz i've taken my foreigner friends for home visit. The big difference: Europeans are more individual but Chinese are still very family-wised. So if you like family life (not you couple only, but a whole big family!), you can make your further trip into it. Ha, ya, another requisite is : you must like/love eating and spending alot time on it (for gathering and socializing). I know your China family trip may be unforgettable and exotic. But pls take all these into account. otherwise, there will be conflicts of cultural difference. Even between foreingers living long in Chinese land and Chinese who are thought westernized. There are many values (above all, family values) in conflict. Sure, I belive love will somehow solve most of the problems (if not all). But sometimes, maybe love (too much) make it worst.  I am reading a book about cultural differences and I see the difference. I already knew the different about individual and family though. It is no problem to me.And I do love food, but I still need to find a good balance between eating and not gaining weight. If I can find that I am Ok with it
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