Mild Culture Stroke
China, a country with rich and wonderful culture, i s a melting pot of ancestral heritage of the past dynasties. For people who love the history and the arts, this is the best destination to go. Arriving here last April 10, 2006 was a very memorable experience for me. It was my first time to be outside the country travelling alone. The very day I arrived Beijing, China is still very clear in my mind up till now.
I arrived Beijing international airport half-past 7 in the evening. Taking a connecting flight from MNLA-HK-PKG, I was so embarrassed then when my luggage was left in HongKong because of the limited time allowed for workers to transfer baggage. That means, I arrived Beijing going straight to the Passengers Assistance Area and told them about my concerns. I filled up forms and was very angry due to the inconvenience it caused. I was relieved when the personnel was so apologetic about the incident and promised to deliver my luggage to my flat (my new residence) exactly the next day. (They really did! Unfortunately my luggage reached Huludao City with destroyed zippers and layers of packing tape. whew!) As I went to the exit, a man on his early 30's was carrying my name on an A3 sized white paper. He was my escort. He was responsible to bring me to the Railway Station which will take me to Huludao city where I will be staying for 2-year contract.
People like locusts swarm the streets. This scenario welcomed me in the Beijing Railway Station. Some were like busy ants on the floor moving around and checking the nest train departure. This was noticed in a quick flash as I was catching up time which swiftly speeding fast. Although, I was moving quickly to catch my train, I was keen enough to observe the varied events around me. I made semi-scientific-observations based on my own subjectivity. Knowing that Chinese are non-English speakers, I was very thankful for the gentleman who lead me to the train station as fast as he could. Like Pinoy hospitality, Chinese share the same friendliness to foreigners. In fact, China was named one of the friendliest nations.
Inside the train was a shinning moment for me. It was the same feeling when actors would go to a mall pretentious that people will not recognize them but suddenly everyone would turn their heads and stare you till you melt. It was a superstar feeling. Everyone would love to see you. Later, silent whispers would turn out to be loud murmurs. Each one would try to guess your nationality. Unfortunatey, not one would be able to guess where you are from. I am just wondering if they study geography in HS. Guesses would include XinJiang (neighboring Mongolians/Turks area) , Korean or Hindi. After several guesses, I would say "I am from the Philippines." The Chinese would stare in awe and say the word 'feilipin' (with a hard accent on the last syllable). I would really feel very happy if one would come and get an autograph...hahaha but no one dared too. My 8-hour train to Huludao City was very silent. No one had the courage to approach and befriend me. Not even the train attendants went to talk to me. I was becoming mute. I was also feeling so hungry. I was so scared. I was anxious about the new environment. I was worried about the train travel and my luggage. And I was penniless that time. Thus, I decided to sleep instead. But I was not able to. I couldn't even close my eyes. I never noticed that time went fast. The train attendant went into my four-person cabin and knocked the door. I hurriedly got my bagpack and small hand carry bag and safely went down the upper sleeper. Safely, I arrived Huludao City at 4 a.m. As I got off the train, our school's Vice Principal was there to fetch me.
It was a mild culture stroke I had experienced. An idea that made me see and foretell, like a clairvoyant, my stay would worsen the stroke. I was thinking of the challenges that are before me. Still, I was optimistic enough to say that I can do it. I told myself, I have to face it!
After 3 years here in China, I finally adapted their cuture and luckily never had to experience the mild culture stroke but turned it into opportunities for understanding and learning in a new given culture.
;)
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