The train clocks 300 kms/ hr and the attendant looks like she's an aspiring flight stewardess. I'm breezing past villages and towns in Zhejiang en route to the ever important financial metropolis of Shanghai. The ride's great, but it's still missing the tea stalls and the samosa valas at the stations. Hell, I can't even read the signs I pass. But oh well, comes with the deal. The weekends whizzes past and I'm back in my room, looking at the river and sipping on jasmine tea. My head spins with the tsunami of thoughts as I can see traces of light snowfall. Six months - the first six months in China. Many say that if you pass this hurdle, the rest is easy - I guess time will tell. To me, it feels like yesterday and far too long ago at the same time when I came here, lured by the company of choice and smell of opportunity.
It was a big decision, to take the decision in the first place and then to decide on what to do when this job came along. It did rustle a lot of feathers in my life. Insecurity and anxiety plagued me as I got off the plane and cleared customs at Ningbo Lishe Airport. What have I done? Is this the right place? Is it worth all that it has caused? I get into the car - there's a clear effort to make me feel comfortable; the Cadillac is sparkling, the water is cool and the towels scented. The driver however, looks at me as though I'm from Mars when I ask him how far the hotel is. To say that the initial months had their share of hiccups would be a gross understatement - more like epileptic fits if you ask me. It's important to find good friends and I did, mostly from Sweden, Tennessee, Scotland and sometimes Russia. Good fellows, very calming and very demanding as well.
Looking forward, I habitually start to plan. 2 yrs --> A. 2 more yrs --> B. 3 yrs from there --> C. and then I stop and step back. One thing I have witnessed but not learnt from is that the only plan that always holds is that one that is mostly open. Structure is important but the winds of change blow strange and rarely negotiate. So what's my next plan? I plan to have some of that candy in my fridge and get a night's sleep in.
Meanwhile, the clock ticks on....
