何日君再來
When Shall We Meet Again?
Like many expatriates, Chinese people in France have their own "community". This circle often has a series of services such as overseas studies consultation, relocation services, online flea markets, advertisements for Chinese jobs, landlords letting out properties exclusively to Chinese tenants etc.
One day, I saw a story about a Chinese girl who had experienced some emotional trauma studying in France. She described her life from when she had just arrived here: it detailed a year spent studying language courses at the University of Grenoble III and her subsequent move to Paris, which sadly forced her to say goodbye to all of her friends in Grenoble.
After reading this story, I felt summoned to a curious new city. Although I had never even heard of this place, I immediately bought a ticket to embark on this journey.
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If I pronounce Grenoble in Chinese, it's " 格 勒 ", which is similar to " 隔 了 ". This translates in English to mean "separation". This fact conjures up images of my native place; then, I start to wonder, where is my native place? My father left his native village in 1969 during the cultural revolution. I stayed with my parents until I was 14-years-old, after which I spent eight years in Beijing. Fast forward to now, and it's my fifth year living in Paris.
During my time in Grenoble, I felt nostalgia for a place I'd previously never been to, yet it felt like I had.
So, where is my real home? Is it the same village my father left all those years ago? Or have I yet to find it?
One day, I saw a story about a Chinese girl who had experienced some emotional trauma studying in France. She described her life from when she had just arrived here: it detailed a year spent studying language courses at the University of Grenoble III and her subsequent move to Paris, which sadly forced her to say goodbye to all of her friends in Grenoble.
After reading this story, I felt summoned to a curious new city. Although I had never even heard of this place, I immediately bought a ticket to embark on this journey.
If I pronounce Grenoble in Chinese, it's " 格 勒 ", which is similar to " 隔 了 ". This translates in English to mean "separation". This fact conjures up images of my native place; then, I start to wonder, where is my native place? My father left his native village in 1969 during the cultural revolution. I stayed with my parents until I was 14-years-old, after which I spent eight years in Beijing. Fast forward to now, and it's my fifth year living in Paris.
During my time in Grenoble, I felt nostalgia for a place I'd previously never been to, yet it felt like I had.
So, where is my real home? Is it the same village my father left all those years ago? Or have I yet to find it?