I was given the choice the other day of ducking out of the country briefly – or for longer.

My visa runs out on the 15th of December. My original 3-month ‘double entry’ visa was extended for a month without having to do the re-entry bit to get another 3 months, but the local officials made it clear that that would only happen once. The school generously offered to fly me to Macau or somewhere to get me through to when we finish teaching at Christmas, but also offered me the option of leaving early. After a bit of deliberation I chose the latter.

If you’ve been following this blog you might be surprised to learn that it wasn’t an easy decision. After three months living in Xuyi I’ve got over the hump and, while about a week at a time is enough, I’ve become quite happy here. It really is a bit of a ‘nothing’ place – nothing much to eat, nothing much to drink and nothing much to do – but the less I’ve have to worry about the boring stuff like finding my way back from the supermarket, the more I’ve noticed and appreciated the everyday little things that make a community. Like the “gam bei!” from the blokes at the next table. Or the laughter from the lady in the ticket office when we finally figured out which bus I needed to take.

I took a walk up to the Temple the other day and then stopped in at the market on the way back. While the city looked bigger and bleaker than I imagined from on top of the hill, the market seemed fuller of life and colour. I’d never really noticed that before – I was too busy trying to find what I wanted and attempting not to bump into anyone. Now I sort-of know where to find stuff and I figure no-one’s worried about bumping in to me so why bother myself?

I’m almost tempted to say that I might – might! – miss this funny little place. Maybe.