Concrete Jungle

Well, here I am alive and well. A few months into this adventure and it feels like a warm afternoon after a cat nap.
I recently introduced my Chinese co-workers to the film 180 degrees south, if you haven't seen it I would advise it. I had seen the film several times but I was blown away by the concept of adventure- that is something that is in the mind as daring, full of the unknown and that something is then put into action. Action is the most important and potent ingredient to any adventure.
Yvon Chouinard says in the film, "The word adventure has gotten overused. For me, when everything goes wrong, that’s when adventure starts”. I pondered this for a minute. So when you are on the biggest road trip of your life and you get a flat tire and have to change it in the pouring rain at 4:00 AM this is actually when the adventure begins. Frustration may be the natural emotion but if you think- damn, what an adventure I believe Yvon's definition of adventure will overtake that negative aspect.
These days I am pretty busy with school, Chinese classes, learning a new culture, and how to operate in a big city. I would be a liar if I didn't confess that the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina weren't in my heart everyday. But, if one isn't willing to allow a journey to happen it never will. The aspect of achievement isn't what I mean, I think it is the entire process that is an adventure. It is the miracle of existence. Pretty rad. I am reminded of the words of old Bilbo Baggins when speaking to Frodo before his biggest adventure. "It's dangerous business Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
Wisdom is all up in them words. I am learning that the city is different, to say the least. I am not akin to taking buses, subways, trains, and taxis. I can't put the sunroof down and blast reggae music- so I am making due...SIDENOTE: there is a Chinese reggae band you should check out,Long Shen Dao (Way of the Dragon). The thing I am most interested in about the people in Beijing is communication. There are literally people everywhere, all the time. But as I observe from a straw hat and a tie-dyed tee shirt (thanks Lauren Coakley) I notice that nobody is really talking or even looking for that matter. Iphones and Samsung tablets invade the human necessity to talk to one another. Headphones are in ears- the sounds and sights of this city can be ugly so maybe what is happening is an escape. At any rate, I am turning some heads and giving the biggest grins I can! I hope y'all are doing the same.
That's all I have for now...I will leave with another quote from Yvone. Peace friends! Love!

"Real adventure is defined best as a journey from which you may not come back alive, and certainly not as the same person."