Purple Haze
I've been having internet issues, especially with uploading photos. I'm trying. I think my computer has had about enough of me.
A lot has happened since my last post. Two rugby tournaments one here and one away. I've started taking Chinese classes, hoping not to be the asshole that moves to a new country and doesn't learn the language. I've been here for a year and apparently the Chinese that I have picked up is.... shit. Just like the Chengdu winters. Yeah, it's still technially fall but I'm already dreading thaaat season. It's nice today but I have the feeling that nice days will become fewer and fewer as we descend back into that hazy black hole that is Chendu in the winter.
Speaking of change, I got a new tattoo. I met this guy online a long time ago. He was the first rock-and-roll Chinese guy I've met. He is an apprentice and he offered to give me a free tattoo. After some deliberation I accepted. It's a lady, I like to think of her as my ruined woman. Apparently being unmarried after the age of 25 is not looked on well in old-school Chinese culture. That mentality is still held by a lot of people's parents. I feel it's appropriate for me.
With no parental supervision, I spent the last weekend in Xiamen. It was the annual women's rugby All China cup. It was a blast. I deffo went hard. We played four games, won two lost two. I feel pretty happy with my performance on the pitch as well, despite being unfit as heck.
After the matches we watched the Xiamen and Gunagzhou men's teams play, that's when we started on the beers.
"Spice Girls" was our tour theme. We wore red wigs and black dresses and carried around a set of fake peppers. That night, I put my wig on our taxi driver on the way to the bar, the rest is hazy.
What I do know is I'm still enjoying my time here. I have to keep reminding myself of the great opportuity that I have in front of me and not fall into old habits. Parties are great but there are parties everywhere. I want to make goals and absorb as much as possible, like a cultural succubus.