Concerning Pressure Washers

There are two phrases we frequently mutter, one in Chinese and the other in English. The Chinese phrase was one of our earliest to learn after arriving in the adopted motherland, whereas the English phrase was offered for our use months later from a fellow expat. In those early months, we had no idea how often we would use them or how appropriate they would be in the years to come.  

We also learned in those initial days of China life that development lag is a real concept, with an added layer of what gets skipped completely. For example, last week I had to explain a paper check to a student. China honestly went from payroll being cash in a brown paper bag to direct deposit; a cash-to-mobile-payment society - skipping all the steps in between. In a more mundane daily item example, garden water hoses made it to China, but I have yet to see a nozzle attached to one. Thus, over the years, we have had numerous oh-that-finally-made-it-here moments; lawnmowers, leaf blowers, tape dispensers, to name a few. Around the middle of last semester, when walking to class, we had our first sighting of a pressure washer in use. On our return journey, post class, we had cause to exclaim our key phrases:

First, a good, "差不多" (cha bu duo) which translates to "good enough," followed by, "There are experts in China, but we have never met one."

It was clear, as the water dried, that the pressure washer handler was unaware that every swipe of the wand would be seen. Instead methodically cleaning the tiles, the library quad had been transformed into a canvas of surrealist scribblings.

The subsequent uses since that day have been incrementally more methodical in movement, but all still falling under the "差不多" category. However, this past week, it was a very bold return to surrealist scribbling upon the main road towards the teaching buildings. 

This installment even moved onto the sidewalks to add texture and depth. 

Of course, we exclaimed our favorite phrases, shared laughs with our students about it, and spent our walks to class practicing pareidolia. I am sure there are pressure washer experts here, we have just never met one. Life is more interesting this way. 

Winter Holiday Numbers

When I declared that this year was to be my fervent return to wordsmithing, I should have included the addendum after travel. My initial posts of this year were created in the waning days of a semester, where work duties filled the calm moments. After a declaration of grades being submitted, we were swept into plotting and executing travel whims. Thus, this space was left with fifteen posts in draft form, with as many mentally drafted as we flitted about the world. What a privilege it is to have a life with so many stories to tell that I am perpetually behind.  

Before I face the drafts, here is an overview of our winter holiday. It was a remarkable seven weeks, including all the elements we love. In our evening of reflecting on this journey, we once again laughed and marveled at all we were able to experience.  

From point to point, on land, we traveled 35,109km/21,816 miles.

From point to point, by sea, we traveled 7,045km/3,804 nautical miles. 

We stepped into eleven countries, three new (though, by a unique quirk in regards to an Ybor City park block, this number is technically four as that plot of land is owned by Cuba.)

We walked through eight airports.

We stayed in six hotels, one house, and two cruise ship cabins.

We boarded seven boats of various sizes.

We rented one motorbike and one car. 

We disembarked at seven ports and had two excursions.

We had eight reunions.

We visited three museums, two cemeteries, and one bookstore.

The amount of wildlife we encountered was countless - all the alligators, floating potatoes (aka manatees), and birds. 

We visited two parks and the smallest American post office. 

Zach read three books (approximately 2500 pages) and I read 15 books (page count unknown.)

We returned with five pounds of coffee, one bottle of vanilla, three pieces of batik fabric, and one magnet. 

Woven within these numbers were the uncountable laughs, experiences, conversations, motion sickness pills, toys thrown for a dog, and memories formed.