Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Full Circle

Looking at a globe today, we traced the route to Kunming from Michigan. So many miles! It's hard to believe, that only one year ago, to us, Kunming was only a small dot on a map. Now, it's a place that represents many memories of good times, friends, and places that are dear. A year ago, we were in the process of stepping into the unknown - a bit nervous, a little scared, but fully excited about the possibilities. And we're glad we took the plunge...

The adjustment to coming home certainly has been much easier than adjusting to life in China! We're in full swing - playdates, grocery shopping, doctor appointments, etc. The biggest adjustments? Where is everybody?! And those we do see are so tall! The stores and streets seem so empty. Traffic is orderly - and omg! - everyone obeys the traffic laws! And the very best - we can now read everything!

Two things I miss most about living in China:
  • walking. I love to walk, but I need a specific destination. In China, one walks everywhere, everyday. Up and down and in and out.
  • good, cheap food waiting for us at one of the university dining halls, a dumpling dive or at a choice of restaurants.
Thanks to everyone who joined us throughout this journey. It's much appreciated. I tried to show our everyday, nothing fancy life. A goal of ours was to live a simple life on a Chinese teacher salary. We purposefully didn't mega-travel and limited our Western "needs". A main goal was to give the kids a language immersion experience by attending a Chinese school. We are so thankful that C. and E. had a wonderful, fun-filled school year of making friends while becoming quite proficient in Mandarin. That, in itself, was worth any "discomfort" experienced.

Now it's time to end GACE in China, but not an end to blogging. Please join us at our new blog - www.gaceathome.blogspot.com starting soon. It'll be mostly photos (with a small amount of text) updated once or twice a month for family and friends. Please do visit!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Dear Family ¡¡¡

I'm very happy for yours, because my family always wished the better in your travel to China now you are in the United states ... that is more confortable maybe. I don't have a lot time , but I let you a few words while.

see you soon.

kisses and hugs.

LETICIA GODOY
CHILE

Soultravelers3 said...

Loved your story! Hope you are enjoying your time at home.

We are the family on an open ended world tour, in Spain at the moment. Just wanted you to know that I link to this blog in my article about how to do extended travel:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2008/06/how-to-do-exten.html

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YA
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G.A.C.E. said...

Comments have been disabled due to the recent frequency of spam. Thanks for visiting and reading about our journey!

G.A.C.E.