So it has been awhile since I wrote, and this has been primarily due to my extremely busy schedule and the fact that I have only 3 weeks left in Shanghai, so I’m more often out and about than making time to write my blog. But as I rather write than do my Chinese homework, I’ll catch up on some of the stuff I’ve been up to these past 3 weeks!
Chinese Medicine: Right after my mom left to return back to the US, I visited the foreigner’s hospital in Shanghai to address a stomachache I had had for awhile. The doctor decided that I needed to see a surgeon who determined through a CT scan that I needed to get my appendix removed. This all seemed very hasty to me, and not very indicative of the longer-term pain I had expressed. After all I had originally gone to the doctor to get a referral to their resident TCM (Chinese Medicine Doctor). So, I declined to get the appendectomy, but promised that if the pain progressed I would check it out more seriously. In the meantime I have been exploring Chinese medicine twice a week with Dr. Ko who I go to for acupuncture and herbal medicines. I really enjoy the acupuncture treatments I have been getting, and I have even done cupping a couple times (the back treatment that suctions glass cups on the back to pull out stagnant toxins). I have to say I feel like I’m Hermione from Harry Potter recently, due to the methods I follow to prepare my traditional medicine. I have to prepare a soup once a night that is cooked from many seeds and other herbs and something that resembles and smells like tree bark. It is actually a very complicated process that requires me to soak the medicine for an hour, boil it for exactly 8 minutes, simmer the solution for 20 minutes and add an ingredient halfway through, and then in the last 4 minutes throw in the tree-bark like substance and let sit until warm. And you can only guess how it tastes… There is a saying in Chinese that basically means “good medicine bitters the mouth” meaning if you want good medicine you have to drink nasty bitter soup! I do have to say I have a more firm belief in Chinese medicine. Besides the fact that the herbal remedies seem to be doing the trick, I have also had some very interesting experiences with Chinese medicine professionals that have offered me some insight. My first experience was during a blind-man massage when the masseuse pointed out to me that a tense spot in my foot signified I had a bad stomach, which is true. I thought this might be a fluke, but at a different place when I was getting cupping done, the doctor exclaimed that I must have a horrible stomach because the cup over my “stomach region” made a very dark mark on my back and pulled up a lot of stagnation. Regardless, I have very much enjoyed learning about the benefits of Chinese medicine after this whole ordeal.
Shanghai Fashion Week: Last week was Shanghai Fashion week, and I had the privilege of attending and helping at some of the shows. One of my friends that lives here works for one of the Bund buildings running a clothing store, so he had a lot to do for the events. After the first week of shows there was a masquarade ball that we got to go to, and that was a lot of fun, but I enjoyed seeing the different asian perspecitives that made this fashion week so unique. One night, I got to go to dinner with the designers before their show, and after hearing all about their collections and work, it was fun to be able to see it materialize on the runway.
Easter: I only realized the day before that it was actually Easter. Henry and I decided to make a day of it and went to the newly opened Bund for brunch and sight seeing. Afterwards we relaxed and enjoyed the day, but it was nice to be in an apartment with friends celebrating the holiday, even if that only meant watching movies and cooking dinner together. We had a very Chinese interpretation of Easter with lots of Chinese food for dinner! To celebrate my American roots I made sure to eat a couple peeps ☺
Putuoshan: Last weekend my program went to one of the four Buddhist mountains in China, Putuoshan. Although it should have been a very successful and fun weekend, there were many speedbumps that made it less desirable. First off, for a two day trip we spent about 14 hours on a bus there and back, which was pretty miserable. Secondly, our tour guide was horrendously overbearing and extremely unorganized. Besides that I tried to stay as positive as possible, but it was difficult. The mountain was beautiful and the weather was nice so those were pluses. Also it was cool to see some temples, even though I think I’ve seen about 100 now! We climbed over 1,000 steps to get to one temple way up high on a mountain, and it had some pretty views.
Sanya: In a moment of spontaneity, Henry and I booked a weekend trip to Sanya in the Hainan island province of China. It will be in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s degree wise, and it is supposed to be China’s Hawaii. I’m looking forward to this break two weeks before I get ready to make my journey back to California. Sanya isn’t known for many cultural aspects, but I’m looking forward to being back by the beach, and away from the city for awhile. Also it will be nice not to think about my classes for a few days before finals start and I hurry to finish all my papers. I’ll let you know how the trip goes after this weekend!
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