It's been quite a while since I wrote that whiny, melodramatic post about how much I wished I didn't have to leave China.
Two and a half years later here I am again. I arrived in Shanghai yesterday (with a delay of three and a half hours) and at least upon the first glance, China seems unchanged. (Except for the fact that their control over the internet got stricter. I have yet to find a way to evade the censorship. I mean, they blocked google!!)
Other than that though, it seems that nothing much has changed here since I left. I, on the other hand, feel like I'm completely different from the girl who wrote that last post (and all the previous ones as well of course).
Whereas last time I was equally as anxious as I was amazed upon seeing Shanghai for the first time, this time around I'm neither, really. The height of the houses and the amount of people on the streets don't impress me anymore. But neither am I afraid of crossing the streets now, or nervous each time I have to talk to someone for fear of not understanding what they are saying.
Whereas last time I was equally as anxious as I was amazed upon seeing Shanghai for the first time, this time around I'm neither, really. The height of the houses and the amount of people on the streets don't impress me anymore. But neither am I afraid of crossing the streets now, or nervous each time I have to talk to someone for fear of not understanding what they are saying.
I've come back to a place where I already know the rules of the game, which makes the experience less exciting, but ultimately more comfortable. It feels like I'm settling back into something familiar, like I'm coming home. (To avoid any misunderstanding though, I do not mean to imply that I am not or do not feel at home in Austria.)
For the weekend, I am staying with Skye and Xinxin,two very dear friends. When I was in Shanghai in 2012 I also stayed at their place and last summer my family and I had the pleasure of returning the favour when they visited Austria.
I received a very warm welcome and I am very grateful to them for everything they have done and are still doing for me. (Skye, after all, is the one who found me a job in China)
I received a very warm welcome and I am very grateful to them for everything they have done and are still doing for me. (Skye, after all, is the one who found me a job in China)
Due to said job and all the studying I've got to do for my exams in autumn I doubt that I'll have very much time for blogging, but I might write a line or two from time to time. I can't wait to see what the next two months will bring.
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