After three months, my journey is almost over. I leave in a
few days pulling together the string ends of the trip. I slowly watch the
people I have met leave one by one.
The last night Ali and I go to an Italian dinner in East
Nanjing. We eat our last Americanized-Chinese meal. Afterwards, I walk
alongside the Bund. Seeing the first place I experienced Shanghai nightlife.
The river I crossed each morning to get to work. Separating the downtown area
and traditional Shanghai.
I look at the city and think how much it has changed. The
confusing mess it was the first days, to exploring the city with ease. Knowing
an easier way around everything. Each awful moment was accompanied by one that
created Shanghai as a dream world. Sometimes it was a nightmare but other
times, it didn’t even feel real.
Being back here
three months now, I miss the excitement. I miss waking up every morning and
gasping for breath, hoping each day brought a new part of China to me. I crave
the exotic meal, the fresh conversation, and the struggle to survive in a place
I didn't belong. Almost like missing a friend or ex.
My life here is
too simple. That leaves too much room for confusion. I want the endless
supplies of activities. The lack of a daily schedule. I guess I’ll have to
leave that saved for my next time in Shanghai.
