Zhangjiachuan Life

 As I sit down to write about this stage in my journey I realize that it is already nearly drawing to a close.  I really don’t tend to stay in one place for very long.  When I move again in a few weeks I may finally be able to fully unpack my bags and settle down for awhile. For the time being, I am in a “small” (by Chinese standards) city of 300,000 called Zhangjiachuan.  It is located in the Gansu province near the city of Tianshui and is unique because of its status as a self-governed minority city.  For those of you who did not know, China is composed of a number of different ethnic groups (the official number is 56), with the Han ethnicity making up the majority of the population.  Zhangjiachuan is composed mainly of people of the Hui ethnicity, whose ancestors came from the Middle East and settled in China.  As a result, members of this ethnic group are often Muslim. This is definitely true of Zhangjiachuan.  Many of the women walking on the streets dress modestly and wear scarves to cover their hair.

Me and YM

There's corn here too!!!!

 For those of you who do not remember, I am here in Zhangjiachuan relaxing and visiting my boyfriend, YM. YM’s family has been wonderfully hospitable, constantly encouraging me to eat more and wear more clothes so that I don’t catch cold. This is my second time at YM’s house.  The first was last year around this time, after I had finished my semester of study abroad classes.  This year is a bit different, however, because it is Ramadan.  At first, I was nervous to come to a Muslim city during Ramadan, but it has turned out quite different than I expected.  For one thing, I have not fasted.  Initially, I didn’t fast because I had my period, but then YM was not fasting and his father did not fast on occasion, so I have not done so either.  Also, as Ramadan ends on the 20^th, so I don’t think I will be doing so.

The mountains here are so beautiful.

Life here has been pretty tame.  I have met a bunch of YM’s friends, classmates, and relatives, but it is often difficult to make conversation.  I have learned a bit of the local dialect, but my vocabulary is very limited and I can’t say much more that “it’s very X” “I’m full” “yes, I washed my face and brushed my teeth.”  Not exactly stimulating conversation material.

Hotpot with friends.

YM's nephew and father.

We went to visit another friend, MZ's, house

Eating lunch at MZ's house.  MZ is actually only pretending to eat for the picture; he was fasting.

I want to get back to relaxing, so I’ll keep this short.  In about two weeks I should be arriving in Harbin, China (via Xi’an and Beijing) to begin my Chinese language program, the first stage of my Fulbright.  I’m nervous and excited to start my Fulbright and to meet new people.  It will be sad to leave YM again after only being together for such a short time, but hopefully he’ll come to visit me.  Oddly enough, I feel like my Chinese has gotten worse since arriving in Zhangjiachuan, but hopefully it will come back quickly!

One last bit, for those of you who were curious about the internet here in China, this is a screenshot of what happens when I try to access blocked websites. Also, this article is both interesting and informative!  Until next time.