Treated to celebrated Chinese characteristic

One of the best things since our move to China three years ago has been the helpful people. When we first arrived in Shanghai, we could barely string together two words of Mandarin. But people often went out of their way to give us directions or help us find things in the market.

This was really important after we first set foot in the country, suffering from severe jet lag and exhaustion from wrapping things up at home, and staying in our hotel room for nearly two days dozing and surviving on chocolate bars. We were glad to find an eatery that was welcoming to two desperately hungry and displaced lao wai.

With help, however, we began to adjust to our newly adopted home. One day, a fellow bus passenger saw I had out my Mandarin flash cards and came over to help with pronunciation.