Jiaxing - Funky Town!

So, its been a long time since I blogged. That because I have been feeling blue, isolating, and uninspired to share my woes with anyone. But things have shifted and now I feel that I have something to say. I guess what I went through was a funk. It was the 4-6 week point in my trip. It really sunk in that I am away from all that I know for a very long time, longer than first imaginable. So, it was a slightly subtle evolution, but I eventually became less willing to deal with my surroundings and a little cranky. Yeah, that's what I was - cranky. Change will do that to me. I was cranky for the last couple of weeks.
Fortunately for the entire country of China, believe me!, they celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival from October 1 - 8, and I got a week off of work! Wow, a vacation inside my vacation! Cool. Well, maybe teaching here in Jiaxing isn't really a vacation, but it is different than walking dogs, and isn't a vacation really just an experience different from the norm? Whatever Heather! Anyway, I went to Beijing and had a blast. I saw more people than I have ever seen in one place - Tiananmen Square on China's National Holiday. There must have been at least 2 million people buzzing around the square. I could only go about two seconds at a time without someone touching or rubbing up against me - in some situations that's groovy, but this was just plain crowded! But it was part of my Chinese experience. I went through the Forbidden City and, alas, I no longer believe it was my former residence in a past life. I just didn't get the rush of familiarity I expected. Oh well, guess I am truly a worker among workers, and not an Emperor in search of a throne. I got my obliatory "I climbed the Great Wall" t-shirt because I actually climbed the Great Wall. I went on a four hour hike and met some German tourists who were funny and so cool to hang out with. Back in the city, I saw a chinese punk rock band - hot! and hung out with some new and old-ish friends. Here's a "shout out" to En-Wei and Nai-Wei for putting me up - your flat is amazing!
I walked around alot and saw some pretty cool places and iconic monuments, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was alone on my journey and that I really want a travelling companion. I miss you Sam, so much. I guess that's what sent me into my funk. I want to be able to say "Wow, look at that!" or "Could you hold this while I go pee?" but being alone I couldn't really say that without causing strangers to run the other way, fast. So, let's all hope that Sam's citizenship goes through quickly and that he gets over here this winter so we can go snowboarding together in NE China. Which would be so friggen cool its pipin' hot!
So, now that I am back in Jiaxing and have broken out of my funk, I have decided to get out more and start experiencing this funky town - the good and bad food, the kids' and old people's constant staring, the language barrier (which is another great wall), and my fear of being found out (for what, I don't know) and ran out of town (unfounded, true, but I have it nonetheless). Whatever happens I will be taken care of and I will be grateful for the experience. I just gotta keep my sense of humor and my cool. Love you and miss you all.