Back Home in China
March 5th I took a late bus to Wuhan. It’s nice to have a home away from home. I’ve been working 免费 at the Wuhan Pathfinder International Youth Hostel I stayed at before; helping out whenever possible in whatever way I can. It’s nice to be able to help. A visa is in the works so I can stay longer and not have to worry about visa runs to Hongkong. I’ve been able to get a lot of practice with my hotel mandarin and learn more about the city as I give tours and advice to foreign travelers. One of the most useful things I’ve learned is that the taxi drivers know where to find everything.
Reactions from the Chinese guests to seing me behind the front desk are strange. Usually, they fall within the amused, endeared, and skeptical. I’ve actually had someone tell me it was imposable for me to be working here and ask in English what happens if a guest who doesn’t speak English comes in. She was fairly shocked when I replied in Mandarin, “not a problem, talk to them in Chinese.”
I’m hoping to stay here until the summer and spend the next few months improving my Mandarin while I help as much as I can. It’s nice to be able to hunker down in a place with so many good people and good food. I’m hoping to have photos up soon, but these days are very busy. People are flocking up from the south of China to see the Japanese Cherry blossoms (樱花) next to Wuhan’s famous East Lake (武汉东湖). Haven’t had time to see them myself yet, but the small garden next to the hostel is already impressive.