Out and About is a column where we chat with people who currently live abroad, or who used to work and live abroad. This week we chat with Wes and Elle from Wandering Feet ZA.
Hello Wes and Elle, it is nice talking to you. Where do you live?
We have been living in Shanghai, China, for the past 5+ years.
What is your favourite part of travelling to a new country?
We find anything that is completely different special. As they say, “Magic happens where your comfort zone ends,” so we go where we there is somewhat of a language barrier, where the people sound different and the food taste different, in order to broaden our horizons.
What was the biggest adjustment?
The people! South Africans are warm, full of fun, open, free, our people like to laugh and are positive and hopeful, no matter what is going on in the world. The people here are somewhat different. As South Africans we feel it is important to help others. In China it is hard because people here are very proud and also reluctant to accept help from others.
If you could get a parcel from home, what would you want it to contain?
What is the size limit? Please send us Table Mountain! A lot of products can be found here, such as Ouma Rusks and Ina Paarman spices and there are even a few people who import meat to make biltong and sell it. But I would pay a lot of money to get a parcel containing my mothers’ hertzoggies and milktart.
How is the food in China different from South Africa’s?
The biggest difference is definitely the way people usually eat. We like porridge/cereal or toast for breakfast, but here you get a large bowl of noodles or rice porridge with corn and sweet potato. Lunch and dinner are usually large meals with rice and meat or fish and vegetables for both meals. The people here also mostly dine in restaurants or order food for delivery.
Are you planning to also live in other countries?
Definitely. We are considering Africa and South America …
What does a normal working day in China look like?
As teachers it is very much the same for us as in South Africa. However, school days are long and children only finish at 16:00 with lessons – meaning teachers have less work to take home. The city is full of things to do and enjoy. After school you can easily attend a dancing or art class, jog by a river, take photos of the iconic buildings, streets, and temples, visit a Michelin star restaurant or ride to another town or water town with a speed train. Every day has the potential to bring something new, and that is what makes it exciting.
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