When I was in law school, we used to read the First Amendment cases in Constitutional Law (Con Law) class that happened during the formations of unions. The issues were freedom of assembly and protest. These workers lived in towns built by the companies they worked for and they were trying to form a union to fight against the unfair labor practices. The companies felt that they had no right to assemble and protest because they owned the streets and they were private property. Living in this village, I feel a closer understanding of what those workers felt. I am not trying to elevate my complaints to that level, but I live in the company village. The real estate company built the town, the school, the shops, the houses, the streets, and the sidewalks. The stores are owned by the company. It seems only the businesses outside the gates are privately owned. So every dollar they pay me and I spend within the gates, I give back to them. That is why I take taxis and buses outside to shop and spend my money. Blah blah blah.

I have decided that China and this school are not for me. A friend wrote me and told me that I was brave enough to try new things, but I also had to be smart enough to extricate myself when things did not feel right. Thanks Masood — words to live by.

So…my time in China has come to an end. I sold my wagon and all the stuff in my apartment. I packed my books and belongings into 4 huge suitcases and am returning home to search for a new adventure. I met with my landlord’s friend on my last day to hand over the keys. She tried to get me to pay her money for the electricity. I simply refused. All along this woman has shown up at my school demanding outrageous amounts for utilities. Never have I been shown a bill or given a receipt. The women in the Foreign Affairs Office were never any help. They just demanded that I pay, which I always did because they threatened to cut off my electricity. This time she demanded 700 yuan. When I refused she dropped it to 300, and then 160. So all along she was cheating me. My cab arrived and I just started hauling my suitcases out of the apartment. She raced over to my driver and started talking with him. My driver speaks English, so he said that she wants money for the gas. The gas is paid for on a card. It was all bullshit. I told Sam, my driver, that the landlord was keeping my deposit (6000 yuan) and that I was not giving him anymore money. Sam laughed and looked at the woman and told her to go away. She laughed and left.

Farewell China…you’re an interesting place to visit, but not a fun place to live.