Tenth day in China

[aadler]

Susan got up at 5:30, but I slept till 6:30. Then up to get ready, gave Kevin a call, and he said he’d meet us downstairs.

Since today marked his return to work at the end of the holidays, ‘meeting us downstairs’ involved getting into the cab he got out of, whereupon the cab took us to the border transfer facility. We met Mei-li and her mother there; today’s activity, already planned, was for them to take us shopping in Hong Kong.

Leaving mainland China was less psychologically exacting than entering it had been, but took about as long. Once across, we took a bus to a different part of Hong Kong; then a funicular tram to the top of Victoria Peak (which locally is known just as “the Peak”). We didn’t really do anything up there, but Susan took photos, and it’s a prominent tourist spot, so I suppose that was the point. From there we took a cab to the docks, then a ferry across the bay. Susan met and talked with other Westerners throughout; I watched and listened while she did that.

At another mall-type place the four of us stopped for lunch (noodles with broth and dumplings for Susan and me). After that we went to a museum for an extensive walk-through exhibit on Hong Kong history. Then on to another mall-type building, though in that one we basically watched while Mei-li and her mother shopped.

Finally back to the transfer authority. Left Hong Kong, entered main China, then taxi to the Yins’ apartment, arriving at 6:00PM. Kevin joined us there eventually, and we had dinner. Mr Yin broke out the baijiu again, this time apparently the good stuff, but I limited myself to two shots of it; it’s just too strong for me.

(During the day in Hong Kong, I got to see examples of traditional Chinese wedding dress, which is vivid red with gold embroidery. Beautiful, and I was looking forward to seeing it, but when I mentioned that, Kevin told us Mei-li wants a traditional American wedding — Catholic, of course — and also pointed out that what’s exotic to us is same-old-same-old to her. But, I’m told she’ll wear the traditional dress at the banquet, so that’ll work out. Incidentally, they’re talking about Easter next year, and back in the States. As a matter of fact, it’ll probably be at the church where I, and then Kevin and Susan, were all received into the Catholic Church.)

Kevin rode with us in the cab back to his apartment, and ran down to the market to get some stuff for us before leaving to return to the Yins’. Susan stayed up long enough to watch the rest of a movie on Kevin’s laptop, then to bed; I did some stuff online before going to bed myself.

Two more days, then we start for home again.

Next Day