Kane [mongolian, who runs a backpacker cafe on the other side of town], sitting outside on the bench with him, comfortable in the shade of overlapping leaf patterns. We talk about my studying chinese, kane's studies. He tells me that the people I meet here, the students, are like children, pure and innocent. He reminices, nostalgic for his student days, amazed at his nieveness. "you and me, we are adults."
And in the light of day, filtered through translucent green skins, I know what he means, what he is, and I am lucky to know him. He is a real soul, straight, introspective, with clear intuitions. He is 27. dealing with his dream, his cafe. passion, dedication, reason, sensibility. rare in the chinese close to my age.
I think of Patrick a lot these days. The decisions about his life here. Rejection of all the waiguoren [foreigners]. I know I need to do the same, but chinese are hard to relate to. I feel more cynical.
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