Challenged in China!
The city walls of Pingyao in Shanxi Province.
In the summer of 2009 I called time on what had been a transformative four and a half years in Belgium. The economic crisis was in full swing, hitting my wife’s recruitment job hard. In truth, S and I had never really loved Brussels. Moreover, we’d not yet had the opportunity to travel together.
Challenged in China, a short story collection.
Thus we hatched a plan to pick a country, get English teaching jobs and travel as much as we could in our off time.
I honestly don’t recall how we ended up choosing China. What I do know is that I certainly underestimated the vast cultural differences and professional challenges that awaited us in Beijing.
Challenged in China, a short story collection.
Rather, I thought China would be a breeze. After all, I’d already backpacked around India and lived in far-flung locales such as Qatar and Slovakia.
Challenged in China: At the Summer Palace in Beijing.
My maiden China year turned out to be an incredible assault on the senses. I explored Beijing inside out and got to see a large chunk of the country with extended trips before and after our teaching contracts.
Challenged in China: On the Jinshanling section of China’s Great Wall.
Looking back on that period over a decade later, I realise what an action-packed twelve months I had. In fact, it was an exciting time bursting with monster cities, stunning landscapes, wondrous food and fascinating characters.
Challenged in China: A misty afternoon at the Sun and Moon Pagodas in Guilin.
Finally, after years of tinkering, I have finished writing a collection of short stories about my first year in China.
Challenged in China: Meeting the long-haired ladies of Huangluo Yao Village in Guangxi.
For all the details of those long ago adventures, why not dive into my short story collection Challenged in China.
1. Noodles & Rice
2. Give Me Money!!!
3. The City and the Village Part I
4. The City and the Village Part II
5. Two Men and a Refrigerator
6. Take No Notice
7. Don’t Let Me Down
8. The Jellyfish Factor
9. Camp America.
10. Enlightening!
11. The Good, the Bad and the Naughty
12. The Children and the Witch
13. Bad Moon Rising.
14. Sub Zero Adventures.
15. Goodness Gracious, Great Wall of China!
16. Jia Jia and the Warriors
17. The Long Hair Ladies of Yao
18. Yangshuo Master Chef
Challenged in China.
