When the question came to us in January 2015, would we
consider returning to China, I think we were so flattered that we would be
asked to return we hastily committed to one semester at South China University
of Technology. It didn’t take but a
couple of weeks to begin questioning our decision! We quickly moved from “we
can do this” to “what were we thinking!”
We spent the spring and summer preparing both emotionally and physically
to return to China.
There is a certain advantage and confidence knowing when you
arrive you can get water, ramen noodles, watermelon, and saltine crackers. Guangzhou,
China is a mere 15 million people and navigating the metro is a fete to
accomplish, we already have that down! Recognizing the faculty and staff at
SCUT is a huge advantage. We are ready to hit the ground running!
In the process we discovered that we would be assigned the
same faculty apartment of 350 square feet, two burners plus a microwave,
beautiful yellow brocade drapes in each room, a small washer that takes at
least two hours to wash a load and no dryer, 90 degrees with 88% humidity!
What’s not to like about that?
With experience under our belts this time the packing
process was quite different! We made
several Costco runs and for the first time really appreciated the large
quantities we were able to purchase.
Microwave popcorn, protein bars, hot chocolate, almonds, cashews,
Nutella, beef jerky, Acai berries (dried), all the goods that we could think of
for a luxurious China experience. This time one whole 50-pound suitcase was
devoted to food. Life will be better
this time around.
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