Lost in Any Language, Part 1: The Collapse of My Hindenburg of Hubris

Please enjoy this short series curated from years of travel and stupidity. 

During my twenties, I spent a year living in Shanghai, China.
Initially, I found daily life overwhelming; and though I eventually adjusted enough to get by, even after I felt "settled," I still often had no idea what was going on. I really missed my family, but because of the steep learning curve, I told my sister to hold off on visiting until I had at least a toehold in the language and culture.
Having lived in Sha...