Well, since we're on the topic of food, we clearly can't NOT mention the noodles. 

Our favourite noodles were re gan mien (meaninglessly translated as hot/dry noodles), and I believe most of Wuhan shared our opinion. They had a unique peanut flavour to them (via the sesame paste and oil) that we could not duplicate after our move to Shanghai - though Shanghai brought us xiao long bao (delicious soup dumplings), so I can’t complain too much. 
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As news of racism in the GTA spread faster than covid-19, good news also popped up, such as this story about people flooding to Wuhan Noodle 1950. When I read this article, I was excited to realize that I wouldn't need to wait until our next trip to Wuhan to eat our favourite noodles.  Though I WILL need to wait until I can leave the apartment for more than a three hour dog walk. 

In the meantime, I'm going to try my hand at making my own at home this week, and you can, too! 
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Last post, I shared one of my biggest sources of amusement in Wuhan. This time, I'd like to share one of my favourite simple pleasures of living in the city.

If asked to sum up Wuhan in a few key experiences, the dancing would absolutely need to be a part of that list. At home, traditionally dancing is seen at special events - certainly not by the side of the road or for no given reason. Doing so would generate a fair bit of stares, but not so from Wuhan residents (visitors to the country, however, yes. We loved watching). 

In Wuhan, it was a daily experience to walk by a group of women (and the odd man or two) dancing together to music. This might be at the side of the road if an open space were available, in a square of some sort, or in a common area such as outside of a plaza. If there was enough space, it was fair game. It was relaxing, simple, and a good way of incorporating exercise and social experiences into daily life. It's no wonder that videos are popping up of Wuhan residents dancing during quarantine. 

​I loved it. And sometimes, got dragged into it, much to my child's delight. 

As promised, I'm reflecting on our lives in overseas, and some of the things I enjoyed most. 

When you live in Wuhan and you're not Chinese, you are constantly observed and frequently approached for a photo shoot. When requested, Zac sometimes obliged, but his smiles were fleeting and then it was time to stare at me with loathing as I documented the entire experience with glee. ​

A few years ago, when I would come home to Canada over the summer, people would ask me where in China I was teaching. Responding with "Wuhan" often did little in the way of explanation, so I would add "...it's in Central China". My questioners would nod vaguely, unsure of where I was talking about. 

Clearly, not so anymore. 

Wuhan was my first home away from home, an introduction to a new and different and completely exhilarating way of life. As the world has learned the name Wuhan, with a dose of fear and a sprinkling (or torrent) of racism on the side, I have been missing the city and worrying about the many people who still live there. 

Though I also spent two years happily living in Shanghai - a much more well known city - it was living in Wuhan that gave me access to an authentic, immersive, and heartfelt Chinese experience. It is where China won me over and where I fell in love - with the people, the food, the markets, the dancing, the culture, the everything. 

Wuhan was our first introduction to Chinese culture. It will always hold a chunk of space in my heart. For the next little while, I'd like to share it with you.