week 1: the odd comfort of jetlag
Most people would say that the #1 most unenjoyable feature of traveling abroad is bad jet lag. After my first week here in Changsha, I can confidently say that there is a strange sense of comfort in attempting to adjust to a new time zone. However, this pleasant feeling isn't one that is achieved necessarily through actually being comfortable; it's in fact battling with the obvious discomfort of jet lag that makes the feeling so rewarding. What I mean by that is, fighting sleep to see all that Changsha has to offer just goes to show that the environment here truly is something special. From spicy canteen food, lemon-tea boxes, a casual workplace environment, and a gentle smile from each passerby, no amount of sleep deprivation makes me enjoy the city any less. Surprisingly enough, jet lag hasn't caught me as bad whenever I am in the workplace. Even though my research project hasn't officially begun, I have been floating around the lab primarily with Lei, a Master's...