It’s been a week since my feet touched on ground unknown.

Since then I’ve stumbled through too many conversations to count with broken mandarin.

Tried food I didn’t know existed (sour plumb juice you bamboozling fiend).

Interacted with history older than the U. S. many times over.

Challenged some assumptions.

Was dazzled by China’s beauty.

Left speechless by her scale.

And although it’s only been a week, it feels like it’s been a year.