The Laowai Conundrum

Today, I am home sick, but I can't sleep because I feel so yucky. I decided to write something to try to convey what I experience daily. I have found that I, as a Laowai (foreigner), seem to be quite a conundrum for the Chinese who live in my community.

I live in a Chinese compound with maybe ten other foreigners. Justin and I drive a scooter, and we do not have a car or driver. Our scooter is second-hand and is pretty beat up. Yesterday, as I was traveling, I noticed a lot of people staring at me, which is not uncommon. Here is what happened...

I left home to go to dance rehearsal and it was raining. I grabbed a towel to wipe off my scooter seat and a raincoat. I then began to drive to practice. As I was driving, I heard those passing by me making comments about me driving in the rain on my scooter. I arrived at my destination and was fine.

Later, Justin and I were riding home from youth, in the rain, and we decided to grab a pizza to take home. We went to the pizza place to make an order, and they reminded me that they deliver. I got my rather large pizza box and rode on the back of the scooter with Justin driving. As we were driving home, we realized the scooter was nearly dead, so I would have to walk the rest of the way.

As we stopped and I got off, there was more staring and comments by people passing by. Justin then drove the rest of the way home, and I walked in the rain back home with the pizza box. I felt like, in that moment, that I was the center of everyone's attention as I walked. There was not one person I passed that did not take a long hard look at me. I was thankful when I returned home to the privacy of my apartment.

So, here is why this story is part of the "Laowai Conundrum." There is a general perception in China that every foreigner has tons of money. This is not really the case, because most foreigners who live here have their HUGE homes and drivers paid for by their companies. Therefore, it is all just a misunderstanding. Don't get me wrong, most foreigners here are well off, but they are not as rich as is perceived.

We clearly do not have a lot of money, which is confusing in its self for the community we live in. Most people do not understand why we live in the apartment that we do, why we drive a scooter, and why we live average lifestyles. All of the comments about me driving in my scooter in the rain generate from the fact that it is very uncommon to see a foreigner on a scooter in the rain. Generally, they would take a taxi, or have a driver.

It is also very odd that we do not take advantage of delivery services, because even a lot of Chinese have food delivered. It just seems completely odd that we would pick up our food and take it home ourselves. Also, for some reason, it is rare that a scooter battery dies on someone. I NEVER see anyone pushing their scooter because it died. Because these things are even uncommon for an average Chinese person, we look more different in these circumstances.

With all this being said, it is REALLY strange to see a foreigner on foot, in the rain, carrying a box of pizza home...

I tell you all of this to just give you an image of how different life is for us here. We love China and we have great friends here. The culture is just very different, and there are some huge misconceptions about foreigners. I hope that in my time here, I can help my friends in China to see that we are a lot the same, and not so different.

From House to Home

Hello All,

The month of March was quite eventful for us. At the beginning of the month, we moved out of our old apartment following the Chinese New Year holiday. We moved with our friends John and Megan, to an apartment in the same compound, but one building over. Though it was not a huge change in location, it was a huge change in our living situation.

Our new apartment has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (we have a room dedicated to all of the studio equipment!!). It has been fully remodeled and has all new appliances. The kitchen is all new and beautiful. We have a nice balcony and a space for laundry, which sure beats a porch flooded by the washing machine. It is truly a step up for us and has helped relieve some of the stress of living in a different country. We have truly been blessed by God to have this opportunity of a new and wonderful home.

Our new Living Room with some decor.

Our bedroom, with one yellow wall painted and a TV, and our bathroom.

Red Kitchen, Studio Room, Second Bathroom (I did not photo John and Megan's room)

In the midst of moving here in Shanghai, we were also searching for new tenants for our house in the US. We were very behind on payments and were in a bad situation, and desperately needed to take steps to improve our circumstances. After a few weeks of screening tenants and getting our house cleaned up, our parents helped hold an Open House for us. With their guidance and discernment, we were able to find a new tenant.

The most awesome part of it all is that she is a Christian and is very excited about the work we are doing here. She has already shown great care and concern for our home and has even helped us with having the carpet replaced. We feel confident that she is the right person to live in our home and that she will take care of it for us.

We are so thankful for all of God's blessings as we have persevered through trials of our own. We are thankful for all of your prayers and support as we live so far and communicate quite infrequently. We are grateful for how we have grown through all of our experiences and excited about what lies ahead.

With Love,
The Ures