China

Its beautiful culture

China is an interesting place. Even though I have been here once before, my first few weeks here were spent adjusting to the different culture. I remember getting off the plane and the first thing I said was, "Yup, I'm back in China." There is a very distinctive smell here, and it's not the most pleasant. I always joke around saying that I will go home and smell just like China. For those who are not aware, the Chinese are not always the most sanitary group of people. The streets are often wet from sewer, used cooking oil, and endless piles of garbage. Walking down the streets I often see men hawking loogies, blowing a farmer, or children running around half naked on the streets. Let me introduce you to the slit pants. These are pants that the parents put on their children so they can go to the bathroom easier. Most Chinese children do not wear diapers. They have a slit up the back and they go wherever they please. The parents train their children to go by squeezing their stomachs and saying, "sshhh." I've seen children peeing in the gutters, sitting bare bum on restaurant tables, and I even witnessed a child going in the grocery store. It doesn't seem to phase them. I will admit, It would be nice to get out of changing diapers and washing clothes, but I think this is a little much. 

Another thing I had to adjust to were the famous squatters. Luckily, I am fortunate to have a western toilet in my bathroom; however;, anytime that I go to a public place I am forced to use the disgusting and vile hole. The worst squatters are in the train stations. They get so much traffic that the grossness of them is just inevitable. I wish I could even describe the smell, but there are no words. Let's just say I've gotten really used to rolling up my pants and holding my breath. I've come to really believe in the saying, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

Picture 1: I was able to snag this picture walking down the streets of my city.  This is not the usual slit pant. These parents took it to a whole new level.

Picture 2: The Chinese are just a lot more open about their bodies here. One of my favorites is when the old men walk around with their shirts up because it is too hot. 

Picture 3: Here we have the famous squatters. Oh the joy of using a squatter...