A friend in need is a friend indeed, wherever you are

The Chinese people are a friendly mob and are quick to assist baffled newcomers in this foreign land on the far side of the world.

When I first arrived in China, I had to have my hand held by new friends who guided me through language barriers so I could organize my basic daily needs. My limited comfort zone made the world's most populous nation very small.

In those first weeks, I could not go to a Chinese bank to start a new account or order a home-delivered pizza without the help of a local. I couldn't even eat at a local restaurant unless the menu had pictures. I tried a few times, but would always end up with pig's stomach.