Shock to the System.

For the most part, I remain invulnerable to the pang of culture shock.  In part, because I have always found it easy to adjust to new cultures.  I suppose it has something to do with having a father from Malaysia, and  travelling there at a young age.  Emigrating from Britain to America also played a part I'm sure.  In fact, when it comes to travel, new experiences, exploring this world, you could call me a bit of a voyeur, a hedonist even.  I'm not ashamed to admit, I have a full-blown fetish for navigating this globe.  This often makes me seek out the very things that can cause culture shock

I enjoy discovering the nuances of a new country, or a new place.  Finding those things that make my heart pump a little bit faster.  In China, that sensation is found in everyday life.  Here, there is the notion that life is a little sharper, that its glinting edge, the one keeping the dangers of life at bay,  is a tad more exposed—and if you're not careful, life in China can give you a nasty cut.  As a Westerner, I feel wrapped in a layer of baby fat, that is slowly being stripped away everyday I spend here.

Life in China goes a little like this:  Man-hole cover missing in the street?  Tough, don't fall down the gaping hole.  No toilet paper at the toilets?  Bad luck, use a sock.  Use china and cutlery at the work cafeteria?  Fine, wash your own dishes.  Snows on a school day?  Don't even think about staying home; the students get up at 5:30 and clear the snow.  Pedestrian?  Bah, who needs walk signals.

As I mentioned before, life is a constant negotiation in China.  "Don't mess with me and I won't mess with you", Life can be found yelling on a daily basis.  But, sometimes, it's hard not to.  There are, without doubt, several moments a day where I find myself face-to-face with the dangers of life in China.  For example: when trying to navigate the rubbish-filled, bomb crater strewn streets, forces me to make for the safety of incoming traffic; I am left to the mercy of unpredictable drivers, who, are bound by no earthly laws or set of rules.  Life seems to have it in for me.

So, I guess in a way I'm shocked by these circumstances.  But, I think the shock comes more from how life in the West has mollycoddled me, rather, than how life in China is a fight to stay alive.

Thought I would post a quick video to emphasize my point.  Can you imagine American/British high school kids running laps at school everyday?  Nevermind the fact that it's raining and the Chinese kids seem to be enjoying it:

I also remembered to take a shot of one of my high school classes: