I have been asked why I would be so adventurous at such a late time in my life to have the courage to move from the United States to China. China of all places, where most people think is such a horrid place.

When I first decided to move to China, I heard so many times “China? Why would you want to move to a communist country?” “They’re going to want to arrest you at the first chance they get.”

I’m sure without actually visiting China yourself, you might also be asking the same question. Why visit China?

Most of the folks that have known me for any length of time would know that I enjoy traveling. I have always been fond of seeing new places. While a child, our family would take road trips to various American Historical sites.

While in my late teens, I hitchhiked all over the United States. I eventually moved to Tecate, Mexico for a while after living in California for several months.

The first house I purchased was in south Florida. I sold it within a year because I felt too tied down by it. Renting was a better option for me because at any time I could just pick up and leave.

You may know the saying “No moss grows on a rolling stone.”

Now, to actually forfeit everything I have gained in America and move to a foreign country so far from where I grew up, and at the same time being so close to reaching retirement was another thing in of its own.

When I first visited China, I found it to be full of history. We have all heard of China boasting of their 5000 year history. I have read about its long history before my first visit but it didn’t compare to the feeling you get when you actually visit these sites.

I will never forget the first time I stood on a stone fortress wall that was built two-hundred years before Christ was born. To be able to touch the same stone that was laid by human hands so long ago.

Because of being adventurous enough to pursue the unknown, I have settled in China to start a new life. In doing so, I have met a multitude of wonderful people. Friendships that are deep. Relationships that remain rewarding.

At the time of this writing, I have been here for four years. I have heard that the majority of foreigners can only last in China for three or four years. Reason being is that they get fed up with the place. There isn’t enough of what they grew up with to adjust to living here.

I don’t see it. Perhaps it’s too soon for me. Perhaps I’m just ignorant. But I still feel that living in China has been the best move I have ever made.

I’m not going to go into detail of all my experiences while living in China. That would take several other posts. In this post I just wanted to express my feelings about the misconceptions of change.

Change is good. Because I have accepted change, my life has been rewarding. I live every day looking forward to what’s to come.