I went there for 2 months this summer. At first I went there to meet a girl of course... We had chatted on QQ for half a year. And she actually added my QQ to learn Finnish and do some language exchange. She had studied to become a nurse. And after that studied Finnish language to get to Finland to be a nurse.
After many months of communication. I agree I can come to visit her. But life was not always so easy with her. She would often be extremely jealous, or otherwise angry at me for many things... We sorted those out always though.
We meet at the Shuangliu, Chengdu airport. She had a friend and friends mother with a car also there to pick us up. The friend wanted to see a Finnish guy and her mother was interested as well. So they offered to take us to hotel and then to eat together.
The mother had awesome personality. After she learned that I can understand a little bit mandarin Chinese basics... She would constantly try to communicate with me haha... But I did not understand. And she kept laughing after I made some jokes which she understood luckily. Some pre-rehearsed sentences that were nice to know.
She offers to take us to see some Chengdu sightseeing place, an old "road". So there we go the 4 of us... At this point I kind of only wanted some peace and time together with the girl I went there for... But I did not want to be rude. Because the mother and the other girl were really close to her.
I actually dressed up to some Emperor clothes.. And everyone were laughing when they saw the laowai in strange clothes. Was funny...
Then finally we get back to hotel. And the friend and mother leaves. Then we had some time to talk and relax by going to eat.
The next day we go to Chengdu panda park. To see some pandas. Was nice. After that we got a train towards Lijiang. I had no idea what to expect. But we went to the ticket booth and she chose to get the cheapest possible tickets for us... That was a awful mistake haha.. But she wanted to save money for me.
So I could not sleep for the next 50 ish hours after that. Because I was paranoid and sure someone would steal my luggage if I did not keep an eye on it.
Well after we reach Lijiang. And had planned to stay there 5-10 days. But we did many things the first few days. And then she says that it is best if we are just friends. I am shocked, I cant really say anything. Except ask if she is 100% certain. She says that she has been thinking about it for a few days already.
We had some plans to do during my 2 months visit to China. She says we can do everything we planned to do. But just as friends. I really wanted to go back home. And even checked the airline company for a ticket. But it would have cost me over a 1000 euros... Or spend the remaining of the 2 months, and go with my original ticket that I paid for.
So I chose to stay and return to Leshan with her, her home city.
I got to meet many of her friends at Leshan. And I made great friends there as well, even though there was a huge language barrier always. 2 of the guys I met often, wanted to become "brothers" with me even hehe.
We did KTV, shopping, local sightseeing like the Giant Buddha at Leshan. I was taught the basics of Sichuan Mahjong, kind of like advanced poker game... Also taught some cards game... Ah many many things.
But after a while I started to like one of her friends. After spending a lot of time together with her. She was great, but she had a big flaw in her personality. I could never trust her that much, even though she did not do anything bad... Just many small things added up.
Then the real story starts. After a few weeks of "partying" and having fun at Leshan.
The girl that I saw during the first day. With her mother, coming to pick me up at the airport. She comes to see us. And the girl I came to China for has become busy. So I spend most of my time with the other girl. This girl. She had also studied Finnish language and was a nurse. But she was quite shy.
After spending more and more time together with her. I started to like her. And she was giving "ok" signals as well. But I am always a gentleman. So I never did anything, even though I think she gave many hints. So at first we just talked a lot.
Then she invited me to her home. To her parents home. But at this point. She was not sure about me yet. She thought that I am a "player". Because at first I was there for another girl. Now going after her.
But I do everything that I can to gain her trust. And we travel, Emeishan, Jiuzhaigou, Huanlong. Local Chengdu sightseeing places. And she learns to trust me after knowing me better.
Then we let her mother know. That we like eachother. She thinks that I am a great guy. And wants to help us. But the father is a traditional guy. And does not approve of me yet. Because we can not communicate almost at all. I don't know their culture well enough, their customs, being a gentleman is not even closely enough.
So the father does not know anything about us for a long time.
The more and more time I spent with this girl. The more and more I liked her. There were some things, like jealousy, and misunderstandings. But I have a very calm personality and I always want to talk things clear. So we did not have problems clearing the jealousness and misunderstandings.
After I left, she was sure it was over for us. But I have called her several times a week via Skype. And we talk every day on QQ. And I think that she can now fully trust me.
I sometimes see her mother on the webcam when she goes to the Internet cafe and the mother comes also. And she is still always happy and tries to speak with me so much, even though I can not understand. And the daughter can not translate fast enough.
The mother told the father about me and the daughter becoming serious. And the father got really angry. The daughter will go back to visit her family in a few days. And talk... Persuade... With the help of her mother.
I am kind of nervous haha. If they can achieve something good. After talking to the fater. She says she is so scared. But we have discussed about what to say, what to ask. So much, that she is starting to feel more safe about it. As the father has pestered her to find a boyfriend and to marry fast for a long time. This should help some. Her mother likes me, we got along great. She will help. And my girl has also said that even if the father does not agree, she will do her best. She will not abandon me hehe. She is sure that the father will agree sooner or later as long as the two women of the family keep pestering him about it.
So now I am trying to get in better shape, hopefully loose a bit weight, maybe 10kg. Study mandarin Chinese, so I can communicate with the family, the father. And we have agreed, that I will visit her again this winter. When I can get 1-2 weeks holiday from work.
She believes that she can come to Finland before next summer. As in she can get a job. She just has to wait, until the boss and the Finnish contact finds them a jobs (the whole class that studied Finnish). Some of them have already arrived to Finland. Some are coming later... I should be able to help somehow. But I have no idea what to do...
Now that she trusts me. We don't even have quarrels anymore. There were some questions that we both wanted to ask. But did not dare before. We have cleared those up. And nothing except a huge distance is between us. We have also agreed that we will not get married quickly. But wait at least 1,5-2,5 years.
Sometimes she cries and is really sad, because she misses me and the distance between us is so long. Then I call her. And we talk and talk. Sometimes 1-2 hours. And in the end she is happy and I am happy.
Thinking about her, talking to her. Always makes me happy. Usually the highlight of my day.
I have suggested her, that I quit my job... And come to China so we can spend more time together. But she insists that I do not do so. Instead that we both have to wait until she gets to come to Finland to work. Which is 1,5 years maximum... But also I am kind of relieved. I have a great job at Finland, working for the government. And great benefits etc. So it would be a shame to abandon all that. I would, if she asked me to.
Heres some pictures attached. Yes yes, I won't show my face or hers ^_^
I could have probably wrote a book about everything that has happened hehe. I just kept on writing and then skipping some parts. But I am happy now, knowing that she will wait for me.
First picture is a Emeishan monkey
Second is horse riding at Lijiang.
Third Emeishan.
4th Leshan great Buddha
5th Chengdu panda park red panda
6th some local sighseeing place at Chengdu
7th sea world at Chengdu, had dolphins and all kinds of water animals
8th Lijiang Naxi people music performance.
