Being in a country where I don't speak the language is a very interesting experience. However, I am learning that much can be communicated without spoken word. Smiles, eye contact, facial expression, voice inflection, hand guestures, body language, and love are all ways I can communicate with the people here in spite of my pitiful Chinese. I can motion to a lady on the bus, please take this seat, and she can thank me with a smile. I can push my way onto the metro to say I really have to squeeze on here or I might miss the train home! I consciously turn away from a curious child to let them know that it's okay if they want to stare at me. I am also learning how you can love someone you have never had a full conversation with, someone you don't even know.
Here is a picture of my favorite street vendor. I think the lady in the white apron is his wife.
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