I'm here. So... what now?

Right.

So here I am. Can't quite believe it.

Day 5 (? really - only day 5??) in Guangzhou and trying to figure out how to successfully manoeuvre my way throught this hot, steamy, bustling city of 10.2 million.

First impressions - it is much greener, newer and less dirty than I'd imagined. GZ has always been made out to be the grungy, uncool, bogan little bro to sexy Shanghai and successful, ambitious Beijing. Perspectives vary... I've been told by more than one person that you either love it or hate it here and some of those have *really* hated it, recommending I spend as much time as possible anywhere but here! It's too early to tell, but I am definitely not hating it so far. I mean, I can't understand about 98% of what is said to me, I can't jump in a cab and give them directions of where I want to go - lots of written notes and pointing to directions that I cannot understand - but I can tell you this. I can order 'kafei' - GOOD, Italian brewed illy and Lavazza. I can request 'da bao' - take away - from the pizza place and Japanese restaurant around the corner. And I can say 'xie xie' - thanks to those making my coffee, giving me food, ferrying me around.

This opportunity I've been given - to live and work in a foreign city, with a life and culture so different to my own, with a team of people so different and yet similarly motivated is extraordinary. That my lovely fella and family have supported me in this undertaking - "Sure, go! We'll look after your dogs, we'll look after everything! Just go, enjoy, learn as much as you can and we'll be here when you get back" - is pretty incredible and something I am so thankful for.

It's going to be hard and I will have my 'China moments' where the lack of control, understanding, and immediate support network will see me throw a tantrum, cry, have a total melt down. But you know something...? I think that the good moments will outweigh these 'China moments' a hundred to one. Or maybe 10.2 million to one.

And if they don't - I'll say xie xie for the memories. And the kafei ;)