10 Year Sentence

It was ten years ago today - 13th February 1997 - that I staggered off a plane in Beijing airport and found myself in China for the first time, and apart from brief visits back home, I've been here ever since. So, it's anniversary time.

About one hour after clearing customs, I found myself standing outside the hotel, looking at a freezing cold China. One young chap spotted me from the other side of the road and came rushing over. To my astonishment he spoke to me in perfect English.

"Excuse me, do you know where the nearest flower shop is?"

I tried to explain that I had just arrived in his country and probably he would know the city better than I. It was clear from the look on his face that he had no idea what I was saying. He repeated his question and marched off up the street without waiting for another answer. I was fairly sure by then that he had no idea what he was saying either.

Just at that moment an old man cycled past towing a two metre string of barbed wire behind him. I knew then that I had arrived on a different planet.

People often ask me why I have stayed so long. My answer is that I refuse to leave until I get a sensible explanation! 

Here's to another 10! 

tags: china  guangxi  liuzhou  中国  北京  广西  柳州  beijing  anniversary  10 years  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit