Strother Barbara - Moon Living Abroad in China: Including Hong Kong & Macau

BARBARA & STUART STROTHER

Welcome to the Middle Kingdom, as China calls itself. This is a land of ancient culture and modern progress, old ways and hip new styles, the proverbial yin and yang of contemporary Chinese life. This is a place where youll still see fields being plowed by oxen, but the farmer may be chatting on his mobile phone as he works. Executives in Armani suits dash between high-powered business meetings, yet spend their holidays with Nai Nai (Grandma) at her village home, where she keeps ducks, grows plum trees, and cooks spicy tofu in her kitchen wok over an open fire.

When we were offered the opportunity to take jobs in China, we had a comfortable Midwestern American lifestyle: a big house in the country where our twin two-year-olds chased our fat black cat. But when we got that call, it didnt take much convincing to decide to trade the monotony of middle management for adventure in the Middle Kingdom.

Although wed traveled in China on several occasions before, we were apprehensive about our move. We didnt know what our apartment would look like, what the job would be like, if we would love living there, or if wed be tempted to beat a hasty retreat. We were fond of our American amenities: central air-conditioning, long hot showers, a Maytag washer and dryer, plush carpeted floors, a minivan, and a local Target store. Of all the modern conveniences we had come to rely on, how many would China be able to offer? And how would we get along without them? We didnt know if daily life in China would be as difficult to handle as we had always predicted, but we were willing to give it a try.

As we made our preparations for the big move, our excitement grew. The thrill of experiencing a new culture and the opportunity to expose our boys to foreign worlds gradually overtook our fears of the unknown. We put our house on the market, got passports for the kids, and watched the movie Big Bird in China until we could sing along by heart.

We arrived in Shanghai on the eve of the Chinese New Year, watching exploding fireworks out the window of our new (and, thankfully, modern) apartment until we all drifted off to sleep. As we settled into our new life in China, we delightedly found that more often than not, life is actually easier in China. Without the hectic American do-all-you-can-do schedule, life slows down considerably. With this slower pace, we could make frequent forays beyond our city to discover Chinas innumerable fascinating spots. Weve had dusty days in Kashgar chatting with locals over juicy lamb kebabs, muggy days drifting along Hangzhous West Lake with icy green-tea Popsicles to cool us, and wintry days in Beijing laughing over snowball fights on the Great Wall.

Granted, life in China isnt all rosy. The language poses an especially difficult hurdle, and always getting the foreigners markup in prices gets old quickly, as does being openly stared at and talked about. But in our opinion the rewards far outweigh the hardships.

Its from all these experiences that this book came about, and we hope that it will prepare you for whats in store and paint a vivid picture of what your life in China may look like. So go ahead and begin your joyful exploration of the Middle Kingdom. Well get you started, but this is your adventure to create. Enjoy it!

Street food thats convenient, cheap, and tasty. Stopping along the sidewalk for refreshing pineapple-on-a-stick in the summertime, hot roasted yams in the winter, and spicy lamb kebabs any time of the year.

The popularity of Chinese games like mahjong and xiang qi (Chinese chess), and the delight you bring to the Chinese when you know how to play.

Strange and wonderful forms of transportation, and bikes as valid substitutes for a car: wide bike lanes, bike parking lots, collapsible bike baskets, and even umbrella stands that attach to handlebars (sold in cities that get a lot of rain).

The optimism, smiles, openness, and curiosity of the Chinese. Making new friends here is easy; chatting with strangers is always encouraged.

Amusing potato chip flavors like Strawberry Cheetos, Grilled-Steak Bugles, and Lays chips in Finger Licking Braised Pork or Breezy Blueberry.

The teahouse culture: chillax with friends over a good cup o cha (tea) in an environment oozing with traditional charm. And now plenty of coffee shops that play into that tradition with a stronger, sweeter brew.

The celebrity status of foreigners. Being invited to participate in events or sought out by strangers for photos just because youre a laowai.

Chinese hair salons. Professional haircuts for less than $10 including a full upper body massage for free. Or skip the cut: Its common to just get your hair washed, free massage included, for half the price.

Easy customization. Getting shoes, bikes, clothing, or bags repaired or modified by the nearest sidewalk tailor or mechanic in traditional neighborhoods.

Chinese menus, which are often giant tomes of dishes youve never tried before.

Discovering new delicacies. Learning to like (and in time to love and crave) foods that you once thought too strange to be palatable.

The challenge. The constant puzzle to figure out whats going on in a place where you cant read all the signs or understand everything thats been spoken. The complexity of everyday life in a culture so different from your own.

Each day is an adventure waiting to happen. No matter how long youve lived here, every day you can see, learn, or do something new.