castles in air

if there is anything that I have learned from living in China’s countryside it’s that there is so much about life that us westerners, specifically the youth (and I am including myself in this) don’t understand.  Life is so much more than pretty pictures, boyfriends, and eating desserts.  These people here don’t have anything at all, but they are so full of life.  They don’t worry about all the bullshit that we do.  I already know I’m going to experience quite intense reverse culture shock when I get home to the states, especially when I see the mass amount of shit we can buy at all times anywhere.  It’s not right.  It’s not fair.  I’m only visiting this place for a short time and already I feel angry for what my life is in the states for the sole reason that when my host family asks what America is like I can’t tell them the truth because I’m too embarrassed to admit how lazy and spoiled we all are.  There are many great things about the states that’s for sure and you can bet 100 kuai that I miss home (absolutely I do) however there is so much to be learned from here.  This is one of the last villages that is untouched by westerners and tourism and I feel infinitely lucky that I had the chance to live here.