Life Lesson

As always, life is blurring past us. We are making good friends, adjusting to the language and culture, finding good restaurants, and learning to know the vendors that sell me (Marcie) everything from fruits and vegetables to potting soil to watch batteries. At the same time, we are also making sure that we keep our family core strong by spending time together and continuing traditions from home (did you know the tooth fairy comes to China?). Addison blogged about the new fish tank, but what she didn't mention was my life altering experience with a taxi driver. My friend, Lena, and I were coming home from this maze of vendors selling fish and their paraphernalia when we realized that one of the small plastic bags carrying fish had leaked onto the seat. I apologized to the driver, explaining that it was only water. The spot was small (about the size of my hand), but the taxi driver was madder than anyone I've ever seen in my life. He stopped the taxi about 50 meters from the kids' bus stop. In the grand scheme of life, the water seemed so insignificant to me. I tried to explain to him that kids left unattended were much more important. We tried to leave and several things happened all at once: the driver was out of the car pushing me around, a crowd formed, and my Russian friend was encouraging me to run. I prefer to avoid conflict, but I felt like I needed to find a solution that worked for both of us. He said he wouldn't be able to work until the water dried, which is a fair point. The crowd was to serve as my jury. I knew that his motive was money (thus the show of anger), but I wanted to get to my kids where my Chinese friend, An Xin (whose children ride the same bus), could help negotiate. I told him that we were going to walk to the bus stop and that he could follow, but he insisted that I get in his car. I didn't have the Chinese words to tell him there was no way I was getting back in the car. I finally just started walking away, while he followed on foot. When he got to my friend, he started yelling at her, but An Xin is fierce and well spoken (and sugar and spice and everything nice). His crowd didn't follow, but instead we were surrounded by children and friends - a much healthier atmosphere. The negotiation started at $4.25 US. but she talked him down to less than $3.00 US. After he left, I looked at An Xin and tried to laugh it off (even though I was still shaking) by saying, "This is China, I guess". She was quick to say, "No, this is not China. I've never met anyone with a heart like his. Do not think all Chinese are like this." I was immediately humbled by my beautiful friend, whose Chinese name means peaceful heart. If anyone should represent China for me, it should be her. I am blessed to be able to call her my friend.