I BELIEVE IN MAGIC: Shanghai Trip

Shanghai was the first official country that I have been to, and it has been years since I traveled out of Singapore. There were bound to be worries on how I would be able to adapt myself in a total foreign environment. These worries were slowly gone as I got use to their actions and behaviors.

I went with my school to Shanghai for 3 weeks for an Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP). At first all of us just could not accept how the people just cut our queue so nonchalantly, cars and motorists dashing across us without warning even when its a pedestrian crossing. The traffic was rather chaotic and we had to be extra careful when crossing the road for any oncoming vehicles. I guessed the reason for us to be shocked was because in Singapore everything seems to be safer and when we came to China, we were not used to the fast reckless traffic.

Almost every single night, we would have a debrief session to share on our thoughts for the day. Initially, our discussion would mainly be how bad our perception of China people were but gradually our thoughts started changing and instead, we tried to understand and find out why they act in a certain way. When we criticized the people, our lecturer would constantly be provoking our thoughts at the sideline, telling us to observe more and not prejudice people so easily. It was kind of annoying when I just wanted to enjoy the trip without having to stress my mind to observe the things and people. As I think observing things drain out too much energy from me. However, I still tried my best to observe my surroundings.

When I first bought a dish from one of the campus's canteen, it was really oily even though it was soup based and the other foods were all rather oily as well. Nevertheless, we got use to this too and now we know we do not have to queue for the food but just go straight up to the cashier and give our order. As for the traffic, we were no longer surprise or too panicky and instead we looked out for one another when we were crossing the road. To add on, there were other parts of China that have less oily food so we should not categorize the entire China.

The most convenient way for us to settle our food and growling stomach was our dear 'Carolina Bakery' which was situated just next to our dormitory. Every time when I am not very hungry and just want to settle for a fast meal or have our breakfast, it was always the same place we go to. In addition, they have milk tea that comes in both hot and cold! I had never tried a warm milk tea before so it was a fresh experience. The breads there were not bad either. They sell burgers and fried chickens too! Egg tarts, sandwiches, moon cakes, tidbits, drinks etc. Talking about fried chicken, I got to taste the Korean fried chicken on my last night that I did not get the chance to and they tasted great!! There were soya sauce and spicy flavourrr.

As our room was one of the biggest and probably most hospitable, our room was regularly invaded. My room consisted of a living room connected to a bedroom where some of the normal rooms were just a bedroom. It irks me when people drop food bits in my room (where we later called them our house) and my friends would constantly hear me nagging if any bits drop on the floor or things they did that make my room dirty. We would always suggest other people's room to eat at as we all know the consequence of having visitors feasting in your room. It felt like we just moved into a new apartment as all the basic necessities were not available in the dorm. Hence, as one big class we went to the convenience store to buy things like toilet papers, hangers, 5L mineral water and dustpan.

Yet, some of the things I missed were when people invaded my room, even though I disliked it when my room becomes a mess but I still like it when they come to my room making it chaotic. Also, it would only be a short while before all this fun moments end so why not make use of them fully. At least when I think back I would know I did something fun instead of the regulars. Guessing whoever was at the door by the sound of the doorbell which failed afterwards when the rest started to follow the initial ringer's style. Some of them got to see my unglamorous hairdo with my hairband on and luckily I have got my jacket to cover my not-very-nice clothes beneath.

People will always have a perception of you that they assumed or set themselves of you, or perception of you that they would not say. Even if you justified that you are not what they presumed, people would just brushed it off and choose to believe whatever they believe. Therefore, sometimes we should just do whatever the hell we want as it takes too much efforts to care about what people think of you. As whatever you do, people would bound to have things to comment on.

I would like to thank my group where they tried to help me by giving me ideas for my fishbowl discussion when I am lacked of it and others who said I was doing fine to make me feel good even though I know I totally screwed the entire thing. Sometimes, I think they should let me know the harsh truth so that I can improve on myself accompanied by words of encouragement to keep the morale going. Even though we all felt moody when our presentation did not went well, but I still appreciated the times where I got to know my members more, our freestyle way of doing discussions which was sometimes too lay back but fun as well. I guessed I hid my disappointment of my actions as I think that showing it out does not make any difference and others would not want to hear your miserable complaints as well.

Luckily, there were washing machine and dryer so I do not have to hand wash my clothes. It was good that my peers have medicines and electrical appliances like hairdryer and iron. Our dorm room was considered alright but it cannot be compared to when we were at Huangpu Hotel at Nanjing where they have clean fluffy beds and people to change your towels everyday.

Our schedule was really packed for the first week where we went for museum rush and also various tourist attractions. We went to too many museums that I don't even know which one I was at. Most of my friends seems to know a thing or two and were interested in history. When I tried reading or hearing things about history my mind cannot really absorb the information, I guessed I am just uninterested in it and finds it rather dry. When I hear facts about history, its just like a whirlpool in my head. This made me ponder at times if I should read up on some history when I get back, but sometimes its just seem uninteresting to you that you will feel bored when you start reading.

It was a good experience where I got to taste new foods and enjoyed different sceneries.