Squat Toilet State Of Mind
Last week I walked into a restaurant bathroom and fully expected to see a row of squat toilets. As in, I was shocked and briefly disoriented to see Western toilets in front of me, not squats. Something in the restaurant must have reminded me subconsciously of a restaurant in China.
I still experience these little disorientations in other ways too, like when I visualize in my mind needing to go to the store and the image is the Carrefour in the main square near my house, not the Target down the road. (Sorry, Target! I hope we can still be friends!)
Evidently China is like Hotel California*: you can check out, but you can never leave.
I have a theory that the more emotionally difficult or significant your experiences are, the more embedded those memories become. China almost broke me, but then became the thing that saved me. I guess you don't forget that easily.
*Every Chinese person I ever met in China loves this song. I don't know why. If you ever go to China, learn to sing this song, then do it at KTV. China is yours.
I still experience these little disorientations in other ways too, like when I visualize in my mind needing to go to the store and the image is the Carrefour in the main square near my house, not the Target down the road. (Sorry, Target! I hope we can still be friends!)
Evidently China is like Hotel California*: you can check out, but you can never leave.
I have a theory that the more emotionally difficult or significant your experiences are, the more embedded those memories become. China almost broke me, but then became the thing that saved me. I guess you don't forget that easily.
*Every Chinese person I ever met in China loves this song. I don't know why. If you ever go to China, learn to sing this song, then do it at KTV. China is yours.
Comments
Funny about Hotel California...good information for us to have. :)
ps: they loved you cuz you can sing, woman!