Salamanca through the eyes of others: Interview with a Chinese

Today I am bringing you the second interview of the series of "Salamanca through they eyes of others", and this time the story teller is Li from China, a nineteen-year-old boy, who has been living in Salamanca for more than two years now. Before deciding to start a new life in Spain, he was living in Canton, a city in South China.

Similarly to the situation with my previous interviewee, Kellen (read the interview here), we know each other from the language school, however we never got the chance to have a deeper conversation - until now. I wish he could have shared more information, as I was really interested in his story, but as it was told by himself as well, their people prefer to keep some things to themselves, so he only said what I directly asked him to do. Therefore, I believe, there are many interesting details remained untold, but I hope you will still find the interview interesting and useful at the same time.

[Li on the right]

Why did you decide to come to Salamanca?

Because my parents are living here in Spain, and I came after them. This was the reason.

And why did your parents decide to come to Spain?

Because my parents wanted to work in Spain. So this is why we are all in Spain now.

How much could you speak Spanish before your arrival?

Nothing, absolutely nothing, because I hadn’t studied anything in China. I was only using my mother tongue and Cantonese.

Was it very difficult to learn to write?

Yes, it is generally very difficult for Chinese people to learn another language, because it is very different.

Where do you live and how did you find the place?

I live here in Salamanca with two Chinese flatmates. Because, you know, my parents are living in Madrid, but I live with my sister in Salamanca. She is one of my flatmates. We rent the flat from a Spaniard.

Can you tell me about an average day in Salamanca?

Well, during the week I study all the time, because I still go to high school and I have classes in the mornings. From 9 to 12 o’clock. I also go to a language school in order to improve my Spanish. At weekends I wake up very late, always. Later I cook, have something to eat and then I meet my friends.

And this is your last year in high school?

Yes, yes. And afterwards, I think I’m going to study Informatics at the university.

How much does a month cost for you in Salamanca?

Well, it is not very expensive because usually I don’t go out very often, I don’t eat out, because the restaurants are much more expensive. I think that the rent is more or less 180€ per month per person, and for the food I need… let’s say 100€, not more. And I barely travel.

What are the most important differences between your country and Spain?

Oh, I think there are so many things that are different. For example, the eating habits in Spain are very different because we [in China] usually have breakfast 7-8 o’clock in the morning, or even earlier; then we have lunch around 11-12 o’clock, while in Spain the lunch is at 2 or 3. Then, the dinner in China is around 6, but in Spain at 9 or 10. Also, Spanish people go to sleep very late, right? Sometimes at 1 or even later! I think in China the kids and the grandparents go to bed around 9-10 o’clock, so for this reason, here in Spain, I always stay up a little bit longer – playing or browsing on my mobile phone. Because I have already got used to the things here – I have been living in Spain for two years now.

Anything else that is different?

Yes, I think that Spaniards speak in a very direct manner, it’s not like the Chinese… I don’t really know how to put it… it’s not that direct. It’s like Spanish people always say what they think, they are always to the point. Moreover, I also think that Spanish people are much more open, while Chinese are a little bit shyer.

And the latter, do you think it’s something positive or you prefer how the things are in your country?

I think I prefer people being more open. Because they don’t think a lot and they always say directly what they think. So for me, this is very positive. But not the other thing! The eating timetable is definitely not something positive.

What is your favourite place in Salamanca?

Probably the riverside, the Tormes. But I generally like the fact that there is a lot of light, there is sun and the sky is blue, because in China it is not like that… There, everything is grey.

What is your favourite Spanish dish?

I like the paella, it’s very good. I tried it in Barcelona and it was delicious! I also like tortilla de patatas!

What places have you visited so far? Why?

I have been to Málaga, because I was working there for a couple of months.

Really? And what kind of job did you have?

I was working as a waiter during the summer period, in a Chinese restaurant. It was very exhausting. In Málaga the beaches are very nice, but otherwise I didn’t like its culture that much.

And what are the places you would like to visit in the future and why?

I want to travel to Santander, because one of my friends said that the beach is very beautiful there, and white!

And do you want to travel somewhere outside of Europe?

Italy! I don’t know how to say it, but I think it has a very unique culture.

And where exactly would you like to go to?

Maybe to Florence.

What do you miss the most from home?

I miss my friends and my family because we are very far away from each other and I cannot afford to visit them every single year, the flight tickets are very expensive.

So how often can you visit them?

I would say that every second or third year. But the truth is that now everything is different. My friends, my family and everything has changed.

And is this difficult for you, to accept that everything has changed there?

Yes, it’s a little bit difficult for me. But of course, they are my family, my friends and my country…

Do you think that you have changed as well?

Yes, sure, I have changed a lot too. I think after such a long time it’s normal that everything’s changed. The way I think, my mentality has changed. For example, when I go back to China, I always want to travel. All the time. While, my friends always want to stay in the same place.

[travelling through China]

So you are saying that now you are always eager to travel?

Yes, exactly.

Would you recommend coming to Salamanca?

Sure. But I would recommend living outside of the centre of Salamanca, because the prices there are higher. And as a city, I think it’s a nice place to live, especially when you are older, because it’s very calm.

And if you are young?

Well, for me it is definitely a good place to live too, because I am also a very peaceful, calm person. I don’t really go out. So, yeah, that’s it.

I would like to thank Li as well for sharing details about his life and also for the pictures!

Photo gallery