Gregynog...is somewhere in South Wales. Well before I went there I had no idea about it (and I even didn't kown how to pronounce it) at all. But...
We spent almost half week in Gregynog to think our dissertation. In most cases, we Chinese won't go somewhere far away just to think about the brief of the dissertation. But now I think it's a good idear of doing so. The beautiful landscape, the historic building, melodies from piano...Everthing looks so interesting! People live together, stay together, chat friendly. Yes, cheer up! Everybody is cheering! We had a wonderful time. Lectures, balloon-debate, Halloween party...It's so fresh to me, I mean, I have never been to a Halloween party before!
However, something is on under the surface of happiness. I am not worry about the dissertation. It's quite a nut but still can be solved. I found Chinese nearly sit together all the time, and even myself! Most of time we will stay together and then I heard about the words like these: "Chinese always speak and laugh loudly in their own language, but sadly we can't join in." I feel uncomfortable in both way. On one hand I think we are really too noisy in public, on the other hand I think we--both Chinese and non-Chinese have not communicated enough. It's just like the veil-things happen again. People try hard to know each other but we are on the wrong direction. Communicating , in my view, is not just chating with strangers or joining in the new group to let others know you, but standing in others shoes and caring people with an open heart.
I am sad about ourselves. We are too fear to open our heart. We sometimes think there maybe have some gaps between westerner and easterner. Yes it exists indeed. But the most important thing is: We are not into them and they too. I'd like to make friends with people from other countries, I'd like make friends with Ela, Aletha, Chris, Nic, Mariana...as well as my Chinese friends, can we take off our mask and have a talk sincerly? I wish that day will come.