Let’s Go Tomorrow
A conversation by West Lake offered a glimpse of a much more spontaneous life.
Walking by West Lake after work had become one of my favourite routines. After nine, the busy daytime atmosphere often gave way to quiet paths, passing couples and the softly lit outline of the mountains.
One evening, a young man caught up with me and began speaking English. His name was David. He told me he was originally from Guangzhou, had lived and studied in Canada, and was travelling around China.
His English was fluent, with a North American accent. Conversation came easily.
At around eleven, he suggested going for shaokao—barbecue. I declined. I was still getting used to spontaneous invitations, and however friendly he seemed, I had only just met him.
We exchanged WeChat details instead.
His Moments showed a life of different cities and smart hotels. It looked rather glamorous from my small corner of Hangzhou, although photographs could only tell me so much.
Later, he asked where I would like to visit.
‘I’ve heard good things about Nanjing,’ I said.
‘OK. Let’s go tomorrow.’
I wasn’t sure whether he was serious. Tomorrow? With someone he barely knew?
I said I was busy, even though I was free. Part of me was intrigued by the ease of the suggestion; another part wasn’t willing to put that much trust in a stranger.
We continued talking for a while, then gradually stopped.
I sometimes thought about that invitation. I was learning to be more open to experiences, but openness didn’t mean saying yes to everything.
For David, perhaps another city was simply a plan for the following morning. For me, it still required rather more thought.