Wuhan Retrospective

Less smoggy today. But hotter.

I haven't sent an update since Shanghai. We are getting deeper and deeper into the heart of China. Also, the students are figuring out I have the computer and are asking for it... hence, I don't get to email as soon as I get up in the morning.

It is 5:17 PM on Sunday in Wuhan, 2:17 AM your time.

Today, we went to the Three Selves Church about a 20 minute bus ride from our hotel. We left the hotel at about 8:15 AM, after a quick breakfast of yogurt and yummy Chinese pastries. The first service was entirely in Chinese, except the "Amens." It was quite moving when about 15 people came forward to accept Christ, their tears caused my tears. I don't know the what was said during the sermon, but it was built on two passages in I and II Corinthians referring to "new life." There was a video of a butterfly hatching.

The second service was done in English with a Chinese translator. Once again, I cried when a few young people went forward. We were able to meet with them afterwards, upstairs, for what is called "English Corner." (I will expand on this later.) During EC (English Corner -- you will be hearing a lot about this...) I talked with some older people who asked me questions about the difference between China and America. We compared dreams. Some thought the Chinese Dream is to have power over people -- money brings that. They were not able to articulate the American dream beyond freedom.

Next, we ate a late lunch. It was the best food we have eaten in Wuhan. The Dumplings in Shanghai were just a tad bit better... but the food today was yum. Only the chicken feet were a little off-putting. And we couldn't decide what the meatballs were made of. Some thought beef, some thought pork, some think that is a little suspicious that we couldn't tell. Oh well.

Yesterday, Saturday, we ate breakfast at the University and then played softball with some of the our "contacts'" students. (Will and Marylin teach English at the University. They are also VERY active at the church we went to today.) Then a lunch. Not saying much more about that except that I was able to ask for the bathroom by myself and say "thank you."

And, oh yes, about the bathrooms! Squatty potties! All have had stall doors so far (knock on wood). But the Squatty Potty is quite the experience.

Let me explain the "geography" of what I am seeing. The smells, sounds, sights of China, so far:

Shanghai was a lot like Vegas. Mainly in the bright flashing lights, dressed up people. Not as opulent as Vegas, but the glitzy feel. Also, the feeling, and the truth, that just behind that street with the fancy hotel and nice shops are slums. And this is true. Though, sadly in a way, the slums are being cleared out, almost daily, to make way for the economic mega force that is China. It is unmissable: 60 story housing buildings going up everywhere... systematically, all looking the same, with huge cranes perched on the tops of each building. This is EVERYWHERE! We took the train from Shanghai to Wuhan, and every city we passed through had the same skyline: cranes, housing buildings (nondescript). Large freeways with complicated on ramps and off ramps that would rival the anything in LA. They just plow through the homes that were there.

But... the countryside. Seriously beautiful. From Shanghai to Wuhan you move through farmers tending their rice paddies with their Water Buffalo. I saw pagoda shaped ancestor shrines mark and monuments/tombs that were graceful, a throwback. The people were dressed in regular clothing, but still sporting the straw, conical hats.

The train climbed into a higher elevation and the trees were beautiful, different from ours, but green and glorious. Then, we descended back into the city, the city of Wuhan, and the smog enveloped us again.

Once in Wuhan, we exited our comfy, first class train to get on a double-decker bus to careen through the streets. People only half-heartedly obey traffic laws and the pedestrian is the least powerful of all. It is an art crossing the streets here. We try to avoid it if we can. Everyone honks constantly and we witnessed a family of five on a scooter, barley squeezing between two buses. It is insane.

How to describe the standard of living here. Most people live in what we would look like, from our POV, as abject poverty in American: little hole-in-wall shops with mangy dogs sitting nearby. But, this is average. On the same street where there will be a scooter-repair shop, a barbecue stand, a boutique clothing store, a small restaurant, a convenience  store -- people making their living that way -- living in homes with bars on the windows  and laundry drying in the air -- on that same street is parked a brand-new BMW.

Produce is sold on the street. There are really no supermarkets...

...More later...