Johan's Trip

Going home for Spring Festival

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• Xiang, originally from a rural area of China, came to Shanghai to escape a life of farming and agricultural labor. He says that the idea of success in a big city was instilled in him at an early age and that he had always dreamed of coming to Shanghai. Although he finally was able to make the move to the big city, the success he expected when he came remains elusive and his efforts feel wasted...
• In Shanghai, it is very difficult for workers like Xiang to start their careers with insufficient funds. This problem is compounded in considering that Xiang also has a family to feed and the costs associated with raising a child make it all the more difficult for Xiang to keep his head above water... 

• I used to sell groceries and even opened an auto-repair shop with my brother-in-law when I first came to Shanghai.
• We had a fantastic impression of Shanghai before we came here, but it wasn't until we settled down that we realized that this place isn't really suitable for us. Making a living here is too tough. 
• Everyone get tired at times, but we really can't cope with our current situation. 
• Once I have a car not only will I be able to load-up more stock and make more cash, going out and about would also be much more convenient. And since we can't find a job in Shanghai, riding passengers to their destination on my tricycle is really the only choice I've got. 
• Yeah, there's usually some cash to spare at the end of the month, the reason why I'm working this tough is because I don't want my children to suffer anymore.
• If my children get good grades at school, they can get into good universities. That way, when they grow up they can share some of my pressure and burdens. My goal is to save-up money for my children and get them into universities. We are really close with our neighbors, they feel really sympathetic about our situation.
• We are very conservative on a day-to-day basis because every dollar we spend is hard-earned money, and not money we've picked up by luck on the streets.
• My photography skill isn't bad actually, even though I've never received any awards, but I used to take graduation photos and student photos for schools back at home.