Days 30 - 45
The Cavalry Charges In ...
Well, the gang is all here -- six producers, three cameras, two cameramen, two soundmen, two translators, one photographer and one Ted Koppel (and a partridge in a pear tree) make for quite a large party.
So, "inconspicuous" is not in our vocabulary. It's an interesting thing, who you attract in that situation. Sometimes people will just gather real close and stare -- as if you can't see that there are 100 people breathing down your neck and looking at you as if there should be bars between you and them, as if they are completely invisible.
This has happened on more than one occasion. The flip side is that everyone wants to talk and explain China -- mostly in Chinese, in which case we smile, repeat the same word over and over, and try to slip by (mostly unsuccessfully).
The party has ventured off to the countryside today to see the poorest of the poor -- the 1 billion still left in rural China and the reason that people are pouring into the city to earn just a few dollars a day living in a tunnel. But that's luxury compared to the country, where there isn't one RMB leftover after paying for food and shelter.
Language Barrier, Part 2
Still desperately trying to get a handle on some language skills, but for the most part I am met with blank stares and slight disdain. Sign language works pretty well. I have some confidence there.
Addendum
My last couple of weeks working in Chongqing on my own were quiet. Trying to collect the last bits of information and enjoy my time in the endless city and with the many amazing people I came across.
I’ve been back from Chongqing now longer than I was there. When I first came home, it seemed as though I’d never even left – as easy as it is to slip back into patterns and habits of old. I had missed my favorite foods pretty terribly -- I’ve never been happier or more excited to see macaroni and cheese and pizza.
Surprisingly, it was nice to get back to the relatively quiet city streets of D.C. I’ve always been a rogue pedestrian, wide and open streets beckoned for some serious jay-walking after playing chicken with the crazy drivers of Chongqing.
My experience there will be a part of me forever – I will always treasure the people and the place. The biggest lesson I'll probably take with me is that the other side of the world isn’t so different nor far from here
