Mystery Solved and Building Bridges

Last week I mentioned that we had issues with ringing our door bell repeatedly to be let up but when we did they never came to our door.  We finally figured out what was going on.  Apparently the wires in the building have gotten crossed somehow and when you punch in the number for our apartment it rings someone else's.  When they punch in their number, it rings us.  So we are back to letting people in now that we know they are just trying to get home.  Glad we got that figured out.  I just hope this will get repaired soon.

Something I really love about China is how active everyone is.  Physical exercise is a high priority for people here and it is evident everywhere you go.  Early morning, early evening, to late at night people are walking, running, doing Tai Qi, playing badminton, groups of (mostly) women get together on a regular basis to do choreographed dances together that are lovely to watch.  Sometimes using fans with streaming fabric or fake swords as props for the dance.  Everyone here moves, moves, moves.  I have seen people who were apparent stroke victims, with an arm twisted into an unnatural position and a shuffling gait, but they were still out for their morning walk.   I think we could learn a lot from such discipline.  Perhaps Westerners could exchange a little of our time and energy for all those high blood pressure pills and insulin we have to take. 

Anyway, this morning I was coming back from my run and I saw this bent, thin, old man with a cane walking along the bike lane toward me.  He was wrinkled and toothless and wore a blue Mao jacket and hat.  When he looked up and saw me coming toward me I instinctively smiled.  His face and eyes lit up and he grinned at me.  I said "hello, good morning" to him.  If possible his grin got even bigger and though he didn't say anything he bobbed his head in return greeting.  I didn't have a camera with me so I can't give you and actual picture but I'm going to include a picture similar to him. 

Yesterday I was walking back from my Chinese class.  I was walking down the sidewalk that runs along a river.  A couple of young girls had been playing there and as I walked by they smiled and said hello.  I returned their greeting in Chinese, which seemed to delight them.  Then they showed me a small yellow plastic "jewel" they had apparently found and were playing with.  I said something like "oh, is that yours, it's very pretty".  They smiled and said yes.  Seemingly that was all they wanted so I went on, looking back once over my shoulder to see them still waving goodbye.

What small steps it takes to begin the process of building bridges.  A smile, a greeting, a minute of time.  Some of my current bridges are only in their beginning stages.  Others aren't complete but have good, sturdy frameworks.  And others have opened up whole new opportunities as more and more we become integrated into the community .

Peace!