However, I gradually gained the confidence to go out and explore the city. By doing this, I met some of the kindest people. They have expedited the process of my integration into Wuhan immensely. I met Tanila and Polly through the Princeton in Asia organization, and I discovered that our personalities are extremely similar and we have become quite close in the short time that I’ve been here. These two girls have taught me how to use 淘宝 (tao bao), which is pretty much China’s Amazon, taken me to new places in the Wuhan and have answered any and every question I’ve had about life in Wuhan. They have also introduced me to other locals such as my friend 谢宁 (XieNing). Like Tanila and Polly, 谢宁 has helped me navigate life in China, whether it be helping me figure out where to pick up my package or suggesting interesting places to visit in Wuhan. Another good friend I have made in Wuhan is my friend Ee Kheng. She is another foreigner teaching in China. Though she may be quite a bit older than me, our personalities click and we spend a lot of time together. It is nice to share the experience of living and teaching in a new country with her. Without these people, I wouldn’t be as happy or adjusting to my life in Wuhan as well as I am.
Now, after a month of living in Wuhan, I am pretty much comfortable exploring the city on my own. I have figured out the metro system and am no longer afraid to use it on my own. Though being lost is still a big fear of mine, it no longer inhibits me from going to new places or from venturing out into the city. As of now, I feel pretty integrated into my life in Wuhan and I can imagine myself living here for a while. Actually, I have pretty much decided to serve another year in Wuhan as a Princeton in Asia Fellow.
