(no subject)
so china is something else. amongst the newer sleek skyscrappers are smaller old buildings that add character to the city. walk down one block of high end stores, then turn down a smaller street and you're surrounded by tiny, cheaper, dirtier shops and many, many people sitting out on the sidewalk looking not much cleaner than the street. it is quite flithy, but that's to be expected. the other night we walked by a river and watched as waste was dumped right into it. actually, we ran because the smell of feces and piss was overwhelming. and the people here use the tap water to drink, cook, wash their dishes and clothes, etc. but what else are they suppose to use? i can hardly handle the heat in the middle of the day. when you walk out of air conditioned rooms/buildings its like a huge weight has just been put on your back. i can't imagine what it would be like if there wasn't so much pollution, if the sun was allowed direct access. where ever you go people stare. but there's no smiling. i've started to adapt and have resorted to just ignoring other people. its too tempting to smile, but so akward when no one returns the gesture. the culture shock really hasn't hit me too much. i think once i don't have a nice, safe law school to resort to with other people from the US, accepting the living conditions will be more difficult. for right now i can sort of accept it and not think about it too much. what's worse is that i don't want to think about and everywhere i look its right there.