Laowai

*** Posted by Brian***

We’re on our way to China now. For me, it will be the first time I’ve been there since February and of course for Kathy, it will be the first time. At some level, I am going to see it for the first time because never in my time there have I been there wondering about what it would be like to live there for an extended period of time. Nor have I been there with Kathy. Amusing inconveniences may lose their humor.

Part of me wants to know why the hell we are even thinking of doing this. I love living in Evanston, subscribing to the Lyric, walking to work, going for long bike rides north or down along the lake, Ravinia, whatever. I’ll be leaving my bike behind, most of my music collection and unfortunately the opera scene in Shanghai is few and far between. I guess I expect to trade these important interests in the short term for an irreplaceable life experience. The next ten days will tell me if that trade really is worth it.