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I just pulled out my passport, the official can’t speak English so he hands me a form. It has both languages; I fill it out. I notice everyone is staring at me as, one lady keeps touching my hair and asking questions. I don’t understand what she is saying, I just smile and just shake my head. I walk out and a rush of hot air slaps my face. I am shocked, I thought Botswana was among the hottest countries in the world, after all we are 84% desert. I can’t breathe, I later learn the air around is humid. We drive for an eternity, my Goggle search explained the place is rural, but I just see developed roads, tall buildings, trees and flowers all over. I think to myself the ‘rural city’ will pop up, however out of nowhere I see a banner written: “welcome to Southwest University, home away from home”. I have arrived, but one thing for sure it is not rural or maybe my definition of rural is different. The security officer helps me to my room, another student translates. I only know one word: “Nihao”, I am afraid to use it, least someone assumes I can speak the language and I end up stuck for words. I notice the toilet and shower are not separated, I try to hide my shock I saw it on YouTube, but that doesn’t make it any more familiar. I am all alone now, as I sit down in shock I laugh at myself a bit, the squat toilets, at the airport. I kept going from one door to the other in surprise, looking around and feeling lost. I always watched NatGeo and other travel channels, I thought I knew this country, but I realize China it is unknown to me. I walk around there is a strong smell of ginger, on every corner. I ask for chicken chow mein there is none, but an abundance of food is on display; dumplings, chicken, duck, tofu, sauteed veggies, pickles, kebabs and noodles it is the land of cuisine. I look at the duck blood, frogs, and turtle I am not too keen, I try to be brave, but I cannot bring myself to take the bite. I try the black chicken, it tastes just like any other chicken. The stores have several types of oranges, pears and exotic fruits, in various colors, shapes and sizes. I pick up the dragon fruit captivated by the bright red. I try to order ice cream they show me blue, black colored ice cream and chillie flavored! China is the land of plenty and not wealth but variety! Everything here seems to organized, the transport system on campus is just amazing. I wonder if the campus is a village it is just endless, in my second year I discover it’s the fifth biggest campus in China. Several supermarkets, playgrounds, banks, parks, libraries, canteens everything just seems to be in the plural. The plant life on campus is beautiful, the scent of flowers floats through the air. I take a walk, people are dancing with various colored ribbons, hand fans and moving gracefully to the music. I see a group of people flying drone’s and kites over the river, it is a beautiful and peaceful. Over the coming weeks I discover China's’ historical wealth is endless. The wonders are out of this world, temples, museums, monasteries, clothing, nature parks and because I am from education I get to visit Confucius related places courtesy of my university. I have never seen snow, so I am off to spend my winter in Harbin, the ice statues are amazing and the architecture is filled with European influence, which is probably because of Russian influence as they share a border. Then Covid-19 hits, everything changes I see the Chinese people, give up their freedom to fight for their country and authorities maintain order. I saw the beauty of the land; know I get to see the beauty of the people. China is different, from my home country. Their technology, education, cuisine, nature and practices come from far back in history, China has it all.