今年9月,宁波日报因为一位高颜值德国“妹纸”的到来,更添了一份“国际味儿”。这位叫Xenia EI Mourabit的姑娘,是德国多特蒙德工业大学新闻专业的大三学生。这个秋天,她将和我们一起采访,一起写稿。《开放周刊》将为Xenia开设专栏“实习手记”,记录她在宁波学习和生活的点滴。
Now it's nearly one week ago, that I made my first step on Chinese ground.I am really curious about different cultures, different food and different people - there is just one things I hardly fear for: to get lost.
Ningbo is one of the biggest cities I have ever been to. My hometown, Dortmund, which is under the 10 biggest German citys, has almost 600.000 inhabitants, one-tenth of Ningbo. Here is an uncountable number of cars, motorcycles, bikes, busses, taxis and people. Most houses are much higher than those in Germany. They are all looking different, but in this difference they are similar to each other, framing the city, blockading the view to some landmarks and overtax the brain with their innumerable neon signs.
Even in Germany I get lost sometimes, because my sense of direction is quite bad. But in a case like this there are two ways to get back to the route: have a look on some road signs or ask people. Normally. While being in another country with another language and even another script, getting lost it a bigger problem. Therefore, I was really happy about being ac-companied when I went back home from Ningbo Daily first time (Thank you for this again!). During the bus ride I tried to remember some important marks like a bridge or Metro to prepare for the next days. I asked how to say “宁波日报“ and tried to remember the pronounciation. Then the bus arrived at the right station, went out and started looking for my house. But we couldn't find. I didn't got lost alone, but we got lost together. Got lost in a labyrith of big and small roads and even secret paths, surrounded by many plants. Got lost in a labyrith with small supermarkets, restaurants, haircutters and cafes.
Luckily I was together with somebody who could ask for the way, but sadly the answer were like "I live here since 10 years, but still don't know the houses", so we had to walk around, searching and asking again. Luckily after about one hour we found somebody who knew the way and five minutes later I stood in front of my one-month-entry-door.
Normally getting lost in a city as a foreigner is an evil situation. But I will keep that evening as the evening I started loving the patience, politeness and helpfulness which combines all Chinese people I met so far in my mind.
I should really learn how to ask “Could you tell me the way to xxx please?”