Challenged in China!


Challenged in China, a short story collection.
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.
Thus we hatched a plan to pick a country, get English teaching jobs and travel as much as we could in our off time.

Challenged in China, a short story collection.
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.
I thought China would be a breeze. After all, I’d already backpacked around India and lived in far-flung locales like Qatarand Slovakia.

Challenged in China, a short story collection.
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, a short story collection.
Looking back on that period over a decade later, I realise what an action-packed twelve months I had. In fact, it was a time bursting with monster cities, stunning landscapes, wondrous food and fascinating characters.
Finally, after years of tinkering, I have finished writing a collection of short stories about my first year in China.

Challenged in China, a short story collection.