My Chengdu Story

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Katarzyna Wilkowiecka, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chengdu.

I fell in love with the city from the very first sight during my first visit in October 2014. I joined the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ delegation to Chongqing and Chengdu almost at the last possible moment. I didn’t know at that time it becomes my home for 4 years soon.

Now I am here. Working hard (establishing new Consulate appeared not to be such a piece of cake as I thought it back in Warsaw) but also having fun, meeting new people, witnessing “clash of civilizations” (especially if it goes about traffic – some people seem to abandon their scooters just yesterday and today driving big cars) and tasting new flavors.

And yes, recently I excitedly joined this happy crowd on Chengdu streets – no worries I am driving almost 25 years now, in different countries with different road culture, accident free and I am planning to keep this record clear for many many more years.

When I arrived here few months ago I felt odd – not knowing the local language I thought it is going to be very tough time. But well, it isn’t. You do speak English quite well although in many cases you are too shy to show your skills. So my advice – talk even if you do not speak like prince William or princes Kate – we’ll still be loving you for the effort you are making! And I am learning Chinese so I am also going to keep up with my advice – I will try to communicate with local people, even if at the end of the day I will have to use “call a friend” option. I wish one day I will be able to talk to street vendors, people in the metro (even if just to be able to say: let me go out first!!!), sellers in supermarket. It will come one day. I hope sooner than later.

What I like in Chengdu? Everyday more and more. I like people here, food, lack of real winters, greenery all year long, chattering crowds, giant pandas, convenience of traveling with metro, the way the city develops and opens to the outside world.

What am I disappointed with? Not enough sunshine and clear blue sky, air pollution and slow Internet connection. I also expected more (or at least one) lion dancing around Spring Festival. 

Finishing my short story, as I was supposed max 500 words (and it’s not enough to put everything I would love to) I would like to highlight some of my main goals for next few years: I would like to cause at least minimal improvement of trade balance between Poland and China. I wish more Polish companies to establish trade relations with local counterparts, maybe even open their offices here. I will work hard to bring Poland closer to you and rise the number of Chinese tourists to Poland.

I hope that after finishing my post in Chengdu I would be able to write another, longer piece: My Chengdu success story. 

The author is the Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chengdu.

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website.

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