成都的冬日暖阳下，一只小狗沿着田埂，踏着金黄的银杏叶，迎接它的主人回家。这是都江堰幸福街道永寿社区的一天，虽平常却不乏温馨。不寻常的是，它的主人——来自澳大利亚的Bernie。Bernie熟练地与地里干活的人寒暄，“去哪儿哦？”，“吃了没有？”除了肤色，他就是个地道的永寿乡民。
Bernie，全名Hans Bernard Pierre Noel，1975年出生于非洲岛国毛里求斯。2000年，他离开毛里求斯，移民澳大利亚。毛里求斯的热带阳光和蔚蓝大海让Bernie愉快地度过了童年，而家族经营的小餐馆则让他从小便与美食结下了不解之缘。移民澳大利亚后，他凭借努力进入墨尔本一家全球知名的银行，成为一名受人尊敬的金融从业者。然而，繁忙的工作和都市生活逐渐让他感到疲惫，他渴望一种更接近自然、更有人情味的生活。
2007年，在一次朋友的聚会上，他遇见了现在的妻子——来自四川都江堰的露露。自此，他便与中国结下了深厚的情缘，两人携手共建家庭，迎来了属于他们的爱情结晶。
Bernie一家三口
从银行职员到西餐大厨
追随妻子露露的步伐，Bernie在成都开启了新的生活。他经营过花店、咖啡馆，并最终在顾客的建议下开设了披萨店。如今，他在都江堰幸福街道永寿社区经营着名为“NYST”的西餐馆，兼任主理人和大厨。他表示：“我很幸运，可以不用再做银行的工作，而是开启了另外一种人生的机会。”
Bernie的餐馆每天接待4到5桌客人，繁忙时甚至能达到14到15桌。他还接待小型活动，如团建、婚礼和求婚仪式等。对他而言，这家餐馆不仅是生意，更是一个连接人与人、城市与乡村的纽带。
Bernie正在制作西餐
社区的支持与政府的帮助 让Bernie迅速融入了都江堰的日常生活
12月的一天，Bernie的餐馆迎来了一位特别的顾客——一位浪漫的成都小伙子，计划在这里向女朋友求婚。清晨，Bernie前往菜市场采购食材。尽管中文不太流利，但市场商贩早已熟悉他这个热情的“老外”，纷纷热心推荐新鲜食材。在这次求婚活动中，Bernie不仅为顾客准备了精致的西餐，还亲自布置了餐厅，见证了这一美好时刻。这种温馨的场景，已经成为他在都江堰生活的一部分。
创业之路并不像想象中那么困难，Bernie得到了社区和邻里的帮助以及政府的支持。他提到：“无论是在都江堰生活、开店，我都得到了很多帮助，包括社区的支持，出入境管理处的协助，还有邻居和顾客的鼓励，这些都让我充满信心。”
Bernie和妻子露露曾向社区提出开办周末集市的建议，得到了社区书记蒋女士的大力支持。蒋女士表示：“这个想法不仅能吸引更多城里人来到社区，还能促进乡村经济的发展，为周边乡村注入新活力。”同时，政府在乡村振兴的大环境下加大了基础设施的升级改造，为他的生意带来了极大的便利。他透露，由于创业顺利，目前正在选址准备开设第二家和第三家店。
Bernie与妻子一同前往永寿社区与工作人员交流开办周末市集的想法
乡村振兴的践行者
都江堰的自然与人文环境深深吸引着Bernie。他的餐馆每天的蔬菜、鸡蛋和河鲜都来自周边农户及本地菜市场，他还在餐馆附近种植了大量有机蔬菜，践行着健康环保的生活理念。
“从我个人的经历来看，成都是一个非常适合创业的地方。每个人都可以在这里找到自己的方向，无论是城市还是乡村，都能做得很好，外国人也能在这里顺利创业。” Bernie鼓励有创业打算的人勇于尝试。
如今，随着环境的日益完善，Bernie希望能吸引更多年轻人投身乡村创业。他鼓励同社区的青年开设蛋糕店、咖啡店，并希望看到更多花店和特色小店出现。他梦想着通过自己的努力，能够将餐馆周围发展成为一个集美食、旅游和乡村振兴于一体的示范点。
Berni西餐厅的食材大多来自周边农户和本地菜市场
爱与家的归属感
“这里有家的氛围，和澳大利亚相比，这里的人们更接近乡村和自然，和我的毛里求斯家乡很像。” Bernie感慨道。他的妻子露露根据他的家乡环境，为他打造了一个毛里求斯风格的庭院，融合了热带雨林与成都本地植物的特色。虽然远离城市的喧嚣，但餐馆因口碑相传，生意依然兴隆。
Bernie觉得自己在都江堰找到了另一个大家庭。妻子的家人视他为亲人，邻居们也格外亲切。“我和丈人丈母、舅舅们、姑姑们就住在隔壁。每个邻居见到我都会打招呼、寒暄，这种人情味是澳大利亚没有的。”
Bernie在中国找到了自己想要的生活
Bernie的故事，是一段关于家与归属的旅程。从毛里求斯的阳光海岸，到澳大利亚的大都市，再到成都的乡村，他找到了属于自己的温暖和家园。在这片土地上，他不仅融入了中国文化，还见证了中国乡村日新月异的变化。通过努力，他在都江堰创造了一个独具特色的西餐馆，连接了城市与乡村、传统与现代。在这里，Bernie不仅找到了事业上的新机会，更找到了心灵上的归属。他深知，家不仅是一个地方，更是一种心境，而他在成都，终于找到了那个温暖的地方，回到了内心的家。
My Heart is in the Countryside
Bathed in the warm sunshine of a Chengdu winter, a small dog runs along a field path covered with golden ginkgo leaves, heading toward its owner. This is an ordinary day in Yongshou Community of Xingfu Street in Dujiangyan. What makes it extraordinary is that its owner is Bernie, an Australian. Bernie greets local farmers working in the field with ease: “Where are you going?” “Have you eaten?” Except for his skin color, he is no different from a true Yongshou villager.
Born in 1975 on the island of Mauritius, Hans Bernard Pierre Noel—affectionately known as Bernie—immigrated to Australia in 2000. His life in Mauritius was full of natural beauty and a blend of cultures. Growing up amid tropical sunshine and the azure sea, he developed a deep connection with food, thanks to his family’s small restaurant. After moving to Australia, Bernie’s hard work earned him a respected position at a global bank in Melbourne. However, the relentless pace of work and city life left him exhausted, and he began yearning for a life closer to nature and human connections.
In 2007, an unexpected encounter at a friend’s gathering changed his life. He met Lulu, his wife, who is from Dujiangyan, Chengdu. From that moment, Bernie’s connection with China deepened as the two built a family and welcomed the birth of their child.
From Banker to Western Cuisine Chef
Following Lulu’s lead, Bernie embarked on a new life in Chengdu. Over the years, he ran a flower shop and a café, and eventually opened a pizzeria at the suggestion of his customers. Now, he runs “NYST,” a Western restaurant in Yongshou Community, where he serves as both owner and head chef. “I’m lucky to have left my banking job and embarked on this new life opportunity,” he says.
His restaurant serves four to five tables daily, reaching up to 14 or 15 during busy times. Bernie also hosts small events, such as team-building activities, weddings, and proposals. For him, the restaurant is not just a business—it’s a bridge connecting people, cities, and the countryside.
Warm Support from the Community and Government
One December day, Bernie’s restaurant welcomed a special guest—a young man from Chengdu who was planning to propose to his girlfriend. Bernie went to the market early in the morning to pick out fresh ingredients. Although his Chinese isn’t fluent, local vendors, familiar with this enthusiastic "foreigner," warmly recommended the freshest ingredients. For this proposal, Bernie not only prepared exquisite Western dishes but also personally decorated the restaurant, making this joyous occasion unforgettable. Such heartwarming moments have become a part of his daily life in Dujiangyan.
Starting his business was less challenging than Bernie had imagined, thanks to the support of the community, neighbors, and government. “Whether living in Dujiangyan or opening a business here, I’ve received a lot of help—from community support and assistance from the immigration office to encouragement from neighbors and customers. All of this has given me a lot of confidence,” Bernie shares.
He and Lulu suggested the idea of a weekend market to the community, which was strongly supported by Ms. Jiang, the community secretary. Ms. Jiang said, “This idea will attract more city residents to the community and help boost the rural economy, injecting new vitality into nearby villages.” Meanwhile, the government has been upgrading infrastructure under the rural revitalization initiative, which has greatly benefited his business. With his first venture thriving, Bernie is now scouting locations to open his second and third restaurants.
A Practitioner of Rural Revitalization
Dujiangyan’s natural beauty and cultural richness have deeply captivated Bernie. His restaurant sources vegetables, eggs, and river fish from local farmers and markets, and he has also planted organic vegetables near the restaurant, embracing a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.
“From my personal experience, Chengdu is a fantastic place for entrepreneurship. Anyone can find their path here, whether in the city or the countryside, and even foreigners can succeed,” Bernie says, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to take the plunge.
As the environment continues to improve, Bernie hopes to inspire more young people to get involved in rural entrepreneurship. He encourages local youth to open cake shops, cafés, flower shops, and other unique businesses, hoping to see the area around his restaurant flourish as a hub of food, tourism, and rural revitalization.
The Warmth of Love and Belonging
“This place feels like home. Compared to Australia, people here are more connected to the countryside and nature, much like my home in Mauritius,” Bernie reflects. Lulu designed a tropical-style courtyard for him, blending elements from both Mauritius and Chengdu’s native plants. Although the restaurant is far from the noise of the city, it enjoys booming business due to its growing reputation.
Most importantly, Bernie feels that he has found a new family in Dujiangyan. His wife’s family treats him as one of their own, and the neighbors are exceptionally warm. “I live next door to my in-laws, my wife’s uncles, and aunts. Every neighbor greets me with warmth. This sense of community is something I never experienced in Australia,” he says.
Bernie’s Journey of Finding Home
Bernie’s story is a journey of discovering home and belonging. From the sunny shores of Mauritius to the bustling cities of Australia, and finally to the rural areas of Chengdu, he has found a place of warmth and peace. Here, Bernie has not only embraced Chinese culture but has also witnessed the rapid changes taking place in rural China. Through his hard work, he has created a unique Western restaurant that bridges the urban and rural, traditional and modern.
For Bernie, home is not just a place, but a state of mind. And in Chengdu, he has finally found that warm, welcoming place—a true home for his heart.
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