vol. 32: chinese dispatch

Nǐ hǎo! I’m writing this from a high-speed train hurtling from Nanning, Guangxi (very close to Vietnam) towards Kunming, Yunnan, which is about 800km west. I’m five days into my whirlwind China tour, singing opera galas all across the southeastern provinces.

So funny to see our pictures on posters with text we don’t understand!

What can I say about China? It’s a dream to be here. Everyday I pass people partner dancing in squares or doing Qi Gong early in the morning, riding scooters around town with babies or dogs or their laps, or praying in front of giant Buddha stations in ancient temples inbetween new office towers. People stare and smile at me and my colleagues (yesterday a few people said “Hello!” with toothy grins as I passed them in the street). The landscape is unlike one I’ve seen before, very lush and temperate with oddly shaped trees on top of rocky mountains.

Chinese lanterns over the river in Kunming this afternoon.

I came a few days before the tour to spend some time getting my footing in Shanghai (& drinking my fair share of “dirtys” - Shanghai’s popular drink of hot espresso poured over cold milk in various iterations). It’s such a beautiful, wealthy, modern city… being by the sea it reminded me a lot of Vancouver at times (which my BC-born bf thinks Vancouver is aspiring towards). I’m so happy to be on our cross-country adventure now, exploring small cities (of a mere c. 9 million people) & singing opera for crowds unfamiliar with the art form. Our tour manager is helping us to order in tiny restaurants (every city seems to have its own take on different rice noodle dishes).

My first “dirty” in Shanghai with pistachio milk.

Ladies doing their morning park dancing while I do my morning journalling.

Jing’An Temple in Shanghai.

Backstage, I’m reading Sally Rooney’s new novel, which to me has more depth than her previous novels in its meditations on relationships (both interpersonal and spiritual).

Backstage still life.

Asian debut + new gown warranted a backstage selfie before our first show of the tour.

In short, life could really be worse. I’m pinching myself that after all the years of struggle in such a difficult industry, my craft is bringing me to places like China on once-in-a-lifetime tours. Feeling gratitude for my teachers, my parents, my friends & family who’ve supported me, and myself for finding my own pathways to live a life in music.

The view from my hotel room in Kunming, where I’m finishing this entry.

Flowers by the river in Kunming.

And… yes I’ve only been in China a week and I’ve already developed brand loyalty. Luckincoffee will make me a hot oat milk latte for under $2 CAD and it’s delicious (I only need to use 3-4 apps including google translate and a VPN to order it…).

Time for another show! :)