Alice in Wonderland

Abstract

This chapter details the author’s interactions with the wider Chinese society and her efforts to understand what she saw and experienced. She tried to understand Chinese history through Chinese eyes, putting aside her Western view. Authentic Chinese food was new to her and she was impressed by Beijing as an ultramodern city. A visit to a Chinese home gave her a view of Chinese family life. The author learned that “speaking English” has levels and that one can read English without knowing how it sounds. She also came to appreciate the beautiful sound of the erhu, a musical instrument that she hadn’t previously encountered.