I am now in Taxi, enjoying the sceneries from the magnificent Suzhou to roaring Shanghai
and decided to share everyone why I love Suzhou so much.
You have probably never heard of Suzhou, neither did I, when I first came here 2 months after my 22nd birthday.
My arrival here is a result of an accident.
I was going to arrive in Shanghai for studying and working part-time, but when I arrived here, they changed the conditions of my work at the last minute and I had no other way but accept it.
But I was stubborn to do it my way and not let anyone take advantage of me. I was freshly out of law school and wouldn’t allow anyone violate my rights.
So, at my very first day in China, I was totally lost and scared in the outskirt of Shanghai, without anyone I could trust or know. I lost my job at the very first day I arrived. I was happy about it because they offered me much lower salary than we talked out in the beginning.
I declined, not knowing what to do or where to go, with only few hundred USD in my wallet, because the job promised me to compensate for the expenses when I’d go there, so I went there without worrying about money, they so violated my trust, our contract and thought I would still stay there because I was alrea Du in China and I had no other choice, I was afraid and even asked my parents to get ready to help me buy a ticket back to Georgia.
But at some point, when I was totally lost, feeling as if I was on a totally different planet, where I couldn’t read any word, couldn’t hear what others were speaking and nobody heard mr, I felt just very helpless, and at that point, I thought
“Here I am… I flew a long way to come here. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, I won’t let very first obstacle to beat me down. I am staying.”
I didn’t know how or where, but I was stubborn and motivated to not let life let me down and not allow the circumstances win over me.
I found acquaintances from Georgia who had acquaintances near me - in China and they were willing to assist me.
There was a Georgian girl who was about 30 km away from me, at a beautiful smaller (If we can say that about 12 million people city ) city of Suzhou, so I could stay with her for 1 month before I could figure out what to do.
I decided to stay and study as I wanted. And also, since I was quite smart, find a decent job where my brain could be used. That Georgian girl helped me apply for a university and get a student visa as well as let me stay with her for one month, till I earned enough money with part time jobs to be able to live on my own.
I still remember my first drive to Suzhou.
I worked hard that first month, I had about 5 part-time jobs I think, from one part of Suzhou I would go to another, I started working at 07 and then came home at 10 or 11 along with studying.
I earned enough money to be able to keep living on my own, I got my visa and I got a great job, the boss was so impressed with me that along with salary, she offered me a penthouse that was saved for VIP employees, the company was paying for the accommodation.
That was so special for me, I was alone in this huge, beautiful city and I had a penthouse with the most beautiful views in my district.
I felt like when I was lost, scared and helpless, Suzhou took me in his arms and gave me home, even if that was temporary, I have never felt so happy and peaceful before.
I remember one day it was 21st March, 2019 I was going to work and that day nothing happened. Haha. Then you might wonder why I remember that day.
I remember that day because that was when I felt like I finally had home. I was finally feeling like Suzhou was my home and I felt like I was so happy I owned the world.
I would go into shops to buy pants and they would give it to me for free, saying I was beautiful,
people would stop me on streets and take me photos,
sometimes I had to wear caps not to be disturbed by constant looks and attention, I felt a bit like a celebrity,
I had a great job, where I was appreciated and I never had to worry about money again. I also studied and had made some amazing friends at that time.
I remember I thought “Life can’t get any better, I am 22, I am in my prime, I walk in these faraway land like I own the world and I feel like finally I am free of all the worries.”
Then slowlyI started exploring Suzhou and I realized more and more, how lucky I was to decline that job in Shanghai.
My home had 4 rivers and a huge lake right next to it. These rivers have no names, because Suzhou has so many rivers, they don’t name them anymore.
So, I was living my perfect life next to this nameless river where I was kissed for the first time by someone I loved during the red alert of typhoon. When there was no one but us.
The more I explored Suzhou, the more I liked it. China has never been my dream place, yet I ended up falling in love with it.
I walked at Dongfangdzhimen (Gate of the East) and I felt like not only it was the Gate of the east but also a gate to my peace and happiness.
I felt truly happy…
That being said, I need to cut this MyTake short. As I’ve got some news that need my attention now…
I’ll leave some photos for you. Bye.
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