As I went through customs for what felt like the hundredth time, a quirky smile crept onto my face - remembering how different it was from being an outsider looking in on arrival. The immigration officer with her characteristic firm yet gentle demeanor gave me one of those 'welcome back' smiles; "You never left to begin with" she said jokingly as i made way for the exit and start what felt like a second homecoming, now that I had completed my first year out - it was time for new adventures.
The rush at immigration only marked beginning on this leg which indeed meant getting accustomed all over again. As I hailed down an empty minibus to get back where everything else waited patiently in the wings and got ready as i steered into one of those classic Chinese buses; what followed next threw me smack right off my feet - 'Welcome home' they said, adding another notch onto already overcrowded roads while trying hard not to appear too much like tourists from a neighboring country who were attempting english with very little success.
"I went through the motions," recounts Sarah Lee (who lived in China for 2 years), "and that's when i realized how ridiculously easy it is getting used and blending into daily life - my old boss at work, now all chatty about something so new which brings a lot to consider." When asked what she meant by 'so close yet such far', Sarah let out: “It’s like having an invisible thread attached between two places. This makes you realize that they're not just random and independent; but there's actually some form of connection."
In fact, getting used was in no way limited to me alone - the new generation expats were coming with a lot on their plate for being so carefree: as it’s said "The most interesting part about this kind of trip is that your life gets affected and you can see how others react." I spoke at length with Emily Thompson, who has been living in China since her early twenties; she feels the same way - 'I was trying to put a price tag on each thing i got from these experiences as they grew more vibrant everyday.'
Now this may sound like it is all about me and my own self importance but trust that every word here points toward just how much there’s still left undone: “The expat experience has taught us the most valuable lesson - don’t be tied to any single identity,” Emily Thompson said, as she reflected on what China meant for her; "it's a matter of perspective" and these were no small words from someone who had done their fair share in being part of such an experiment.
As I navigated through several interesting anecdotes that got me better at understanding the place i was calling home now - Emily Thompson also went ahead to reflect on what exactly she liked about this adventure: “You don't know how something will affect you, until it does. And then there's no looking back for these things." Her tone suggested a tinge of bitterness as well.
As we wrapped up our discussion and were exchanging stories from the trip - i couldn’t help but think that my second first experience in China was going to be about getting past all this; “I never thought I'd say it, but now looking back at what happened here only justifies why expats are always on a see-saw of sorts – they're constantly seeking out newer ways for their journey and finding the means which helps get them by," she finished off our conversation - we had made enough small talk anyway to last us both.
And as I finally walked away with these lessons, there were no prizes or guesses in my mind anymore regarding why i found such an immediate liking towards this land that was now second skin for me; the rest of expats will be waiting just around any given corner - each holding their own unique little story to tell about what China is like and all they needed from you on your travel here.
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