Since my Grande Adventure shall take me to Hong Kong and China, a little Chinese on my blog is deemed entirely appropriate.
I am heading to Hong Kong tonight via Vancouver. I predict a grande good time on this grande adventure. So first, here's to safe travels.
My bags are packed. I am your local TSA and airlines attendants' model traveler: My airlines days taught me well... Checking one roller-bag size suitcase - sure it weighs three tons - but it is for five weeks away from home. A (real) carry-on bag with my laptop, and my purse. That is it! Of course, in my old airlines days I would have never checked any bags... Industry motto: A checked bag is a lost bag.
I packed T-shirts and shorts for the sunny high 70's in Hong Kong; jackets and jeans for Beijing and the cold weather in November. I got hiking clothes; I got going-out-to-dinner clothes; I got everyday-grocery-shopping clothes. I even stuffed three pairs of shoes in the suitcase. The gauge to my success in packing is that I would wear every single item I pack for the trip. Let's see how I do.
Friends asked if I am excited. Well, do bears shit in the woods? The answer is "obviously!" Just look at all the gifts I packed. I won't even go there.
I look forward to simply being there - doing everything or doing nothing. Spending time with my mom and dad and my siblings' families. Picture this: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning, I go to Tai-Chi with Mom and Dad at 7am. I have not gotten out of bed at 6 o'clock for three months! As seen in movies: At a local park in the middle of a city that houses 7 million people during morning commute. Tai-Chi class in session. Elderly individuals (plus me) lined up orderly, Tai-chi'ing in the early morning sun. It's a perfect Facebook post. I will have to sweet-talk the instructor to let me follow along. I will promise not to trip grandmas, or poke anyone in the eyes... I am afraid I may have been a bit overly ambitious. How does one Tai-Chi before coffee anyway? Sounds downright outrageous. Sure, I will post photos.
I look forward to getting reacquainted with some "aunts and uncles" - they have been friends with my parents for 60+ years. They have known me since birth, but they do not know me. Hopefully there are chances for some good and meaningful conversations. Oddly, I am also looking forward to being called by my nickname. This auntie used to call me "Tapioca" - I must say it sounds a lot cuter in Chinese. I don't know why my nickname was Sai-Mai. Perhaps I was so cute and little...like a tapioca. But nobody else except her and her family called me that. No, you may not call me Tapioca.
I look forward to my dad's cooking. My dad is a genius in the kitchen. Give him a block of tofu, may be an ounce or two of meat, a dash of soy sauce and some spices, he will cook up the most delectable dish that rivals any chefs in Chinatown. Regrettably Dad doesn't make award-winning flat bread pizza. Since few Chinese dads do, I'll cut him some slack.
Before long, I'll be going around Hong Kong like a local, except, I stick out like a sore thumb. I move too slowly.
Thanks for checking in. I'll be reporting on the other side of the globe.
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