Shekou places
One thing that always struck me about Shekou in particular over other places in Shenzhen is the odd way in which the Expat world and our host country come together. Perhaps a more accurate word is collide. It certainly is an environment that brings out the worst. Between the expat lifestyles and the extended service economy that has built up to support their needs, real and imagined, is this border region that sometimes is rather ugly. In Shekou, you can find massage parlours that you could take your mother to, and massage parlours that offer more than massage. There are nice bars and restaurants of all tastes, and there are the notorious chicken bars. Women whose lives are made easier by outsourcing domestic responsibilities, and men whose lives are made comfortable by their outsourcing of relationships.
It's no wonder that some American women I've met who rarely venture out of Shekou have such bad attitudes about living here. Heck, once we moved out of Shekou (but really, not that far out of Shekou), my attitude improved so much. I face different challenges, but I do have a much improved approach to living here.
Yesterday we were visiting friends in Shekou and on our way to find a taxi, we walked past this Italian restaurant. We've eaten here before. Like a few of the other Italian restaurants in Shekou, it is beautiful inside and serves great, expensive food and imported wine.
Immediately next door to Roma's is a local Chinese restaurant kitchen. Hot, noisy, steamy, oily with laundry hanging outside. In most other neighborhoods in Shenzhen it would go without notice.
Where the two meet, though, there is a sign, put up by the management of Roma's. It is a hand-lettered sign, appearing to be hastily erected, but it has been there an awfully long time. Roma's customers rely on the assurance.
It's no wonder that some American women I've met who rarely venture out of Shekou have such bad attitudes about living here. Heck, once we moved out of Shekou (but really, not that far out of Shekou), my attitude improved so much. I face different challenges, but I do have a much improved approach to living here.
Yesterday we were visiting friends in Shekou and on our way to find a taxi, we walked past this Italian restaurant. We've eaten here before. Like a few of the other Italian restaurants in Shekou, it is beautiful inside and serves great, expensive food and imported wine.
Immediately next door to Roma's is a local Chinese restaurant kitchen. Hot, noisy, steamy, oily with laundry hanging outside. In most other neighborhoods in Shenzhen it would go without notice.
Where the two meet, though, there is a sign, put up by the management of Roma's. It is a hand-lettered sign, appearing to be hastily erected, but it has been there an awfully long time. Roma's customers rely on the assurance.
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