We live in Qingdao and teach English to medical students at Qingdao University. In July of 2012 we will finish our second year with the BYU China Teachers Program.
The day before yesterday we had what we are calling- Dale's bus ride. First, you have to know that he has personal space issues. Meaning he likes his very own personal space. So we are headed out to go shopping with our Chinese friend, Bob. The bus stops, is very crowded and we jump on. But the farthest we can get in is the stairwell by the door. Dale is at the top of the stairs hanging onto the pole, facing towards the back of the bus and I have my back to him and am facing forward. In another stop or two, four more people are suddenly in the stairwell with us. Someone has wedged him or herself between Dale and I and since he or she is very short, the small of his or her back fits nicely up against Dale's bum and his or her head rests comfortably between Dale's shoulder blades. As the bus moves along this person sort of snuggles in and seems to enjoy the support of Dale's body. Dale is mortified and there is nothing he can do about it. He is literally hugging the pole and has become a human vertical lounge chair for a stranger. He somehow manages to turn his head and see that it is a very elderly lady who must have been riding like this her whole life and she must be grateful for the cushion! He survived, and even rode the bus again that night. He's so brave.
