Journey of a Lifetime: Classical Gardens, Nightclubs, and QR Code Beggars
Before Semester at Sea, I never thought of wanting to visit China for any particular reason. To me, it was an image of pollution, crowded groups of people, and rip-offs. However, let’s see how that changed!
Shanghai, Changshu & Suzhou, China
November 24–29
In China, I felt like I was excited in a familiar sense because it actually reminded me of Japan. Also, the weather was cooler than the previous countries, so it was a good change.
We docked in Shanghai, in the evening. The bright lights of the Bund, the Waibaidu bridge, and many more shone in the night as my friends and I walked along the crowded road to find a bar.
I think a memorable part was when Maks and I met with a Japanese couple along the way who asked us to take a picture of them, and we funnily asked them to take a picture of us in return. I spoke to Japanese and they were really pleased.
Another memorable part was walking with Rober and Maks to the Old City area. We met with Han(?) who claimed to know Semester at Sea people from long ago and used to guide them around. Han is an elderly volunteer at the City God Temple, Old City area. He helped us find a money exchange place in an underground area of the temple complex. We thought it was sketchy, and thinking about it now I think it was an area of pawnshops. In fact, Rober found an old Colombian gold plate with the face of Simón Bolívar, Colombian’s first president there! It was probably worth a lot! The owner of the pawnshop didn’t know it and thought it was a picture of some random white dude. It was such a cool moment.
In Shanghai, I was able to visit the Yu Garden, a Taoist Temple, the City God Temple area, the Bund, a few clubs for free!
On my first night there, I lost the awesome red jacket that I got from Myanmar, for a small price because I was so drunk. Also, I remember knowing a couple of rich international high school kids, who we went partying with. There were Polish people, Russian dudes, and Chinese dudes. I mean I got a free drink from one Chinese dude and got hit on my the Russian guy. It was a fairly chill play, but well, I only messed around when Maks gave me permission. I mean, I don’t think I’ll do something like that again.
I had my first alcohol vomit on my first night in Shanghai. It was a night of many firsts.
I remember a dude who was probably gay, as he laid wasted in the corner of the club, I tried to find a way to send him home. He kept vomiting in the corner of the 7/11 and he kept saying “I’ve never met people who’d take care of me, I’m usually the designated care-taker, you guys are the best!” and I keep responding “Hey, it’s okay. We’re gonna try to get you home.” I was a bit worried. He was bigger than me, and Maks wasn’t actually helping, he just wanted to get back to the ship. One of the guys in the group, called a Taxi and we got in -just Maks and me back to the ship — as we left the hungover guy because someone else offered to help him.
With a few more instances in China where I had to take care of people that you’ll hear about in a moment, I’ve come to realize there is a naive nature in me that I’d just help people around me, whoever that needs my help. I just did what I thought needs to be done but I got such gratitude from friends and strangers because they felt it was unusual to help others, nobody would do that, and that even they, themselves, wouldn’t sacrifice their safety, and time to help someone that was pissed-drunk along the way.
It was a weird and eye-opening experience, and it really encouraged me to continue helping those in need — I wouldn’t say for the praise, but for personal satisfaction, to help ease someone’s pain or suffering would make me also well-off.
I mean the next time, I had to take care of two-three people who were pissed drunk. They were ALL my friends. I got back to the ship around 5–6 A.M. Rober, Saigo, and Colton were all pissed-drunk. I had that same conversation with Colton that I had with the stranger international high school kid on my first day when he was pissed-drunk. Okay, maybe drunk people are like this…but I still feel it was genuine of them that they feared they weren’t taken care of and that the reality was that they were, so they just keep saying thank you.
Well, when I was pissed drunk, I only had to find my way to the nearby 7/11 and noodle shop, and eat myself to sober-dom in front of Tiffany and Co luxury department store sign. Haha. Pat* Pat* I’m proud of my independence.
One more cool moment was dancing salsa with Rober on the streets as one street performer played a song. It was such a beautiful moment. Who would have thought this Cambodian girl got to dance with a Colombian guy in the middle of the night in Shanghai next to a world-class club… I wouldn’t!
During my time in China, I also managed to visit UWC Changshu China for one day, met with Sothea who was the Cambodian student there and participated with their assembly. The whole school was also very big and spacious compared to UWC ISAK Japan. Polly and Kristel are both from Changshu China, and it was adorable to see them reunite with their friends.
In the evening, we went to a nearby village/town to get some food, and it was a fun experience as Sothea, Colton and I sat at one Chinese dumpling stall and the stall owner tried to speak Chinese with me but I could not, and yet, Colton could. It was such a cute and hilarious moment. Colton did spend quite a bit of energy to learn Chinese as he just had given up learning Japanese then. He’s always so committed (for that period of time) when he sets his mind to something. It was admirable to see.
Afterward, a couple of friends and I rode the shinkansen-equivalent train from Shanghai to Suzhou because Suzhou is famous for its classical gardens that are UNESCO protected sites.
The canals, the old architecture of stone houses and cobblestone walkways really took me into another world like one of those I saw on TV when I was younger. It was the world of Chinese classical dramas, with arching stone bridges and horse carriages along the cobblestone roads.
I went to the Humble Administrator’s Garden and it was magical and breathtaking! It was indeed deserving of its UNESCO title!
There were undoubtedly many more moments in China, but here, I learned that if I can, I must help the people around me, even if it means sacrificing a bit of my safety or time — because how do I feel when I need help? I want people to help me. So it’s only fair that I do the same for others.
Also, I gained new insights into the Chinese way of life. In Shanghai, there were no more fuel motorcycles, they have changed to electric bikes due to pollution levels. Everyone has a WeChat even beggars would have a QR code for you to send money to. Not many things were in English. It’s difficult to get around if you don’t know English in most local areas.
I’ve also gained a new sense of curiosity and respect for the culture and people. I want to visit China again and really immerse myself here. There is so much to learn!
