I had great experiences in Wuzhen. It left me a great impression (印象) during my recent four-day stay there.

    Free Wi-Fi in public areas is now available (可得到的) there. Such service (服务) is common in cities, but I didn't imagine there was such service in a small town like Wuzhen, When I arrived at Wuzhen that evening, I was very surprised! I couldn't to do two things: connect to Wi-Fi and go around the town. Where there's the Internet, there is a way.

    I found a bicycle station along the street. A notice guided me on how to get a bike using my smart phone. It offered me a two-hour free ride and I enjoyed it a lot. The locals have enjoyed the free bike service since last year.

    Later, locals told me hundreds of such bicycles became available at the beginning of last year. Hundreds of new-energy vehicles (交通工具) can fee used if you pay a little money. Again, you need a smart phone to make use of the service.

    I rode across streets and roads, past many places. I found the Internet was used everywhere in the town.

    I've interviewed many officials in other areas of China. And I often wanted to remain connected with them through WeChat. However, many of them would just excuse themselves, saying they don't use the social media as they have too many things to do every day. But most of the Wuzhen's officials said, "Nowadays, many things are completed with the Internet, and we're sure that Internet will become more and more important. We can reach further by using it."

The Basket

    Two things changed my life; my mother and a white, pretty bike basket. My mother is a strict parent and I had to earn my pocket money by doing housework around the house.

    One day, my mother drove me to the bike shop to get a tire fixed, and there it was in the window; white, shiny, and decorated with beautiful flowers. It was so special and I knew I had to have the basket. "It's beautiful," my mother said when I pointed it out to her.

    "Mom, please, can I get it? I'll do more housework for as long as you say, but I need that basket. I really love it……"

    "You know," she said gently, "If you save up, you could buy this yourself." "By the time I make enough, it'll be gone!"

    "I'll buy the basket for you, but you have to work for it," she said.

    My mother bought the beautiful basket and put it safely in some secret place I couldn't find. Each week I eagerly counted my growing income. And then, weeks later, I jumped for joy. Oh, happy day! I made it! I finally had the exact amount we'd agreed upon.

    Days later, the unthinkable thing happened. A neighbor girl appeared with the exact same basket on her shiny, new bike. The eight-year-old me cried and ran fast back home to tell my mother about this terrible news.

    And then came the lesson I've taken with me through my life; "Honey, it doesn't matter that the baskets look the same. Your basket is extra-special," Mom said, gently drying my hot tears. "Your basket is special because you got the basket through your hard work."