China was never one of my top places to visit for various reasons. While I find the Great Wall interesting, I never had interest in learning Chinese history and culture. However, after researching prior to leaving and after, my fascination increases with each new detail I learn. China amazingly has survived its own 3000-year-old history, and endured skepticism due to its inaccessibility to the Western ideal.

As my travel book states:

We go to China because we want to be surprised, to access the inaccessible, to ponder the opposite, to observe the alternate, and to go home perhaps understanding more about where all we’ve seen fits in the larger scheme of things. We come to China to observe our reactions to China. –Janet Carmosky (14)

I didn’t have any expectations, read little bits of history, literature, myths and short stories. I came with an open mind because American media has spun China in so many different directions I am too dizzy to make assumptions. While I lived in Chinatown, San Francisco, for a year and have worked with many Chinese people, I know too well, displaced people do not truly represent a culture as a whole. Actually, my perception of Chinese people here in the United States as pushy, angry, and arrogant people, with the exceptional few.

So, what was my view? China is a culture of contradictions. The Chinese people desire healthy living so they promote exercising several times a day, drinking certain high quality teas, taking herbal medicine, and caring for family. However, they live in highly polluted air (and don’t seem to care) and most men smoke. The Chinese are well versed in their historical success, and carry with them an air of nationalistic pride. On the contrary, at their ancient sites they placed obnoxious LCD advertising screens. Amongst these contradictions, I also viewed their humanity through a shared smile, giggle or outreach. My favorite places teemed with this humanity: Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Wanshi Garden in Suzhou, and Terra Cotta Warriors of Xian. During any morning or evening at any park, one will find people playing card games, chess, hacky sack or dancing, performing Tai Chi or walking. So many gathered to sing songs and chat. Even though these rituals have transferred to some areas in the US, the happiness of this play has not, nor do I see as much youth in the elderly as I did there.

Mrs. Wu, of royal origin, invited us into her home, one of few hutongs left in Beijing, and shared with us her daily life and views on Catholicism, meeting new people and living in Beijing. She is 73-years-old, and reminded me so much of Daddy and Mommy Silva. So much so, I could not chat with her long as I might sob openly as thoughts of Daddy’s impending death loomed over my head. Some of this sadness left me as I giggled with the pedicab driver as he joked with his fellow weight-bearers.

The scope in size of China and its expansive ancient sites are awe-inspiring. The Great Wall in all of its splendor and endurance. The Forbidden City that would take several days to explore and imbibe, with the thought people lived there. The Terra Cotta Warriors, a sliver of the overall protective force for Emperor QinShihuang and his burial site, overwhelms the imagination when trying to place them with all the other major sites of the mausoleum. Shanghai and neighboring provinces engulfing but semi-rejecting its European influence from the earlier centuries of Western glimpses to the Orient.

While we were ushered to particular masters, I sat amazed at the craftsmanship and pride the Chinese have toward art. The silk embroidery makes one believe in magic as fingers work decades on one piece of beauty. The price of such beauty is more than I could make in two years. Jade and pearl jewelry and sculpture, silk mastery in all areas, tea experts in pottery and growth, makes me wish American would understand the importance of art to national pride and culture. Likewise, the musical and theatrical performances were equally impressive. Despite seeing “censored” locations, I could see centuries old crafts enduring.

So while I choke on the air of China, I still see clearly aspects of Chinese culture I found opposite from my expectations. Some say seeing China is viewing the apocalyptic future of featureless land and empty souls, but I saw land sick and rich with people happy, proud and full of dreams with only a few qualms. I am curious to learn more. MORE IMAGES