我与中国

SIMON LEHANA ALLISON

每当我回忆起在广州的日子，总会不由自主地将其与我魂牵梦萦的加勒比海相媲美。这两个地方都以其热情奔放、文化多样性和不屈不挠的精神著称，这些独特的品质不仅塑造了它们的个性，更让无数游客和居民沉醉其中。作为一名来自安提瓜且生活在中国——尤其是在充满活力的广州的人，我深感荣幸，能够沉浸在这丰富多彩的文化、美食和社区之中，这些经历在我心中刻下了难以磨灭的痕迹。在这篇文章里，我将带领大家走进我的内心世界，分享那些让我和许多其他外国人喜爱和赞赏的中国元素、人物以及环境。

抵达广州后，我首先被当地人的热情好客深深打动。尽管这座城市繁华喧嚣，但每一个角落，无论大街小巷，都洋溢着温暖的气息。无论是与当地人在传统的粤菜馆共享晚餐，还是与街头小贩交谈，都能感受到他们发自内心的欢迎与包容。这种热情好客让人不禁联想到加勒比海地区的温暖与友善，那里社区紧密，陌生人亦会被视为家人，共同的餐桌成为联系与庆祝的桥梁。

我曾到访过北京和苏州，对那里的特色美食钟爱有加，同时也对南方的美食充满了期待。而广州，完全没有让我失望。广东的早茶更是俘获了我的心。几乎每个课间休息，我都能看到自己急匆匆地去购买核桃包、麻花面包和蒸饺。尽管我的普通话尚待精进，但每当我迷迷糊糊不确定一道菜的材料却仍勇敢尝试时，总能发现一些新奇而令人兴奋的滋味。当然，也有时候结果会出人意料。有一次与同事共餐，我决定利用这个机会练习我的普通话。我满怀自信，希望能为我的普通话老师增光添彩，于是礼貌地要求打包两份外卖，因为我们都已经吃饱。然而，我实际上表达的是每人再打包一份。幸好，这并没有成为一个大问题，我们愉快地接受了这份小插曲，并为额外的食物付了账，毕竟，这样我们第二天的午餐也就有了着落。

广州无疑是一座融合了现代化风貌与丰富文化遗产的城市。历史悠久的寺庙、标志性建筑以及多姿多彩的节日和传统艺术，都体现了广州人对传统的深厚敬意。这些传统元素渗透进日常生活的方方面面。例如，我特别喜爱的传统粤剧《双绣缘》，这部剧巧妙地将爱情与爱国主义融为一体。剧中的音乐迷人、服装精致典雅、故事情节引人入胜，令人赞叹不已。无论是春节期间的舞狮表演，还是漫步于老城区拥有百年历史的老街，都能让人感受到广州独特的永恒魅力。

广州的独特之处在于其独一无二的东西方文化交融。作为历史悠久的贸易枢纽，广州一直是多元文化和思想的交汇点。从广州塔——这座将现代建筑与中国传统设计哲学完美融合的标志性建筑，到繁华商业区中古寺与摩天大楼的并肩而立，广州都是文化交流与合作力量的生动见证。在我看来，正是这种文化的双重性，成就了中国的非凡魅力。

人们常说要探索和寻找真实的中国，但我认为，如果认为在一个幅员辽阔、人口众多的国家里，只有一种真实存在，那就大错特错了。桂林的山水甲天下，徒步旅行其中，才能体验到真实的中国；派对码头的狂欢，是真实的中国；茶馆里准备早茶和晚茶的人们，展现的是真实的中国；而北京和上海的摩天大楼和繁华都市，同样是真实的中国。我知道，对国际社会的许多人来说，中国似乎很陌生，很难相信一个国家可以如此多面，我也知道，对中国的许多人来说，我可能显得很陌生。我鼓励大家聆听戴安娜-沃森的话：“把陌生视为正常，陌生感就会消失”。

说到底，无论是广州喧嚣的街头，还是加勒比海的沙滩，真正至关重要的，是我们在这片充满活力的土地上所寻得的归属感与人际的纽带。在许多方面，广州已然成为了我的第二故乡。在这里，我缔结了永恒的友谊，珍藏了难以磨灭的记忆，并发现了自己的新身份；它以一种我始料未及的方式，悄然偷走了我的心。

Me and China

Lehana Simon

As I reflect on my experiences in Guangzhou, I can't help but draw parallels to my beloved Caribbean. Both regions are characterized by their warmth, diversity, and resilience, qualities that have shaped their identities and endeared them to countless visitors and residents alike. As an Antiguan living in China, particularly in the vibrant city of Guangzhou, I have been privileged to experience a rich tapestry of culture, cuisine, and community that has left an indelible mark on my heart. In this article, I aim to share my journey and reflections on the things, people, and situations in China that I, and many other foreigners, enjoy and appreciate.

One of the first things that struck me upon arriving in Guangzhou was the hospitality of the people. Despite being a bustling metropolis, there is a palpable sense of community and camaraderie that permeates the streets in each district. Whether it's sharing a meal with locals in a traditional Cantonese restaurant or striking up a conversation with a street vendor, I have always felt welcomed and embraced. This spirit of hospitality is reminiscent of the warmth and friendliness found in the Caribbean, where communities are tight-knit, strangers are treated like family and shared meals serve as a catalyst for connection and celebration.  

I have visited Beijing and Suzhou, thoroughly enjoyed the unique foods there, and eagerly anticipated trying food from the south. Guangzhou did not disappoint and has captured my heart with its presentation of Cantonese morning tea. Almost every day in between classes I can be seen sprinting to buy 核桃包 (walnut buns), 麻花面包 (fried bread) and steamed dumplings. Although my Mandarin proficiency still leaves a lot to be desired, these moments where I am blissfully unaware of what a dish is made of but decide to try it anyway, that I find something new and exciting.  Although in some instances, I have ended up with more than I could’ve imagined. One time, I went to a restaurant with a colleague for dinner and decided this was the time to practice my oral Mandarin skills. With the most confidence, and hoping to do my Mandarin teacher proud, I politely requested 2 takeaway boxes as we were already full. Little did I know that what I actually requested was an extra meal for each of us to go. Instead of seeing it as a grave mistake, we both cheerfully accepted and paid for the extra food, happy that we wouldn’t need to prepare the next day’s lunch.

While Guangzhou is undoubtedly a modern city, it also cherishes its rich cultural heritage. From ancient temples and historic landmarks to colourful festivals and traditional arts, there is a deep reverence for tradition that permeates every aspect of life. One of my favourites is the traditional Cantonese opera, ‘Double Embroidery’ (双绣缘), a beautiful opera about love and patriotism filled with captivating music, intricate and elegant costumes, and phenomenal storytelling. Whether attending a traditional lion dance performance during Chinese New Year or exploring the centuries-old streets of the old city, I have been captivated by Guangzhou's timeless charm.

One of the things that makes Guangzhou truly special is its unique blend of Eastern and Western influences. As a historic trading hub, the city has long been a melting pot of cultures and ideas. From the iconic Canton Tower, which seamlessly integrates modern architecture with traditional Chinese design principles, to the bustling commercial districts where ancient temples stand side by side with sleek skyscrapers, Guangzhou is a testament to the power of cultural exchange and collaboration. It is this duality that I think makes China great.

People often speak about exploring and finding the real China, but I think it would be erroneous to believe that in a vast and populated country, only one reality exists. The hiking scene in Guilin is the real China, the party scene at Party Pier is the real China, the tea houses that prepare morning and evening tea are the real China, and the skyscrapers and bustling metropolises of Beijing and Shanghai are the real China. I know that to many in the international community, China seems strange and it’s hard to believe that one country can be so multidimensional, and I know that to many in China, I may seem strange. I encourage everyone to heed the words of Diana Watson “see the strange as normal and the strangeness will fade”.

In the end, whether it's the bustling streets of Guangzhou or the sandy shores of the Caribbean, what truly matters is the sense of belonging and connection that we find in these vibrant, dynamic places. In many ways, Guangzhou has become a second home to me, where I have forged lasting friendships, made unforgettable memories, and discovered new facets of myself; it has captured my heart in ways I hadn’t anticipated.