Joel had to go to Asia on business and our good old friends, the Appels, invited us both to participate of an old tradition they have established in Hong Kong; Thanksgiving on the Saturday that follows the real Thanksgiving in the USA. Hong Kong, of course, does not observe this American holiday, but the Appels, Americans who have been living in Asia since forever, have established the Saturday to be the day they invite friends to come and celebrate Thanksgiving. As Brazilians that we are, we did not have this habit, but after 9 years being very good friends with the Appels, we have kind of "incorporated" this holiday. Of course that for us, Joel and I, it has nothing to do with the tradition of the first British settlers in the US, but rather a time to stop and be officially thankful for the uncountable blessings we've received.Needless to say that Joel hadn't finish his sentence and I had my bags packed. Planning was all very quick but in a way ok, because my reason for going was really to be there for Thanksgiving, to hug and kiss old friends and re-see HK, this place that we have called Home for almost a decade.
Due to Joel's other traveling schedule, we didn't fly together, therefore I had freaking 24 hours of flights and lay-over, thus loads of time to think about what would the next ten days be like for me. I confess that, although we have left HK only 1.7 year ago, I had forgotten what it's like to sit for 15 hours in a plane... ouch that was no fun... one sleeps, watches movies, reads and when you check, you still have 8 hours to go, ha ha ha.
But anyway, after so much thinking, I realized that although VERY excited to be going back for a visit, I was a bit concerned about the "revival" part of it all. Our life in HK has been very special, very blessed, very cool so half of me wished it stayed that way, sort of a "freeze the moment" type of thing. The other half was full of plans, full of excitement to have succeed in "booking" friend's rushed year end life for lunches, dinners, teas, coffees and so on.
All these thoughts came to an end when the Captain broke the silence on board announcing our descend into HK, the weather was hazy (tell me something new!) and already dark when we landed... "ouch I've really arrived", I thought... no going back now... here I'm... and voilá, BEAUTIFUL 10 days were unfolding right before me, amen!
It was easy easy to arrive, go through the "HK residents" immigration empty line, luggage came out promptly, knew exactly where to buy my express train into town ticket, which by the way, was costing the same as it has cost in the past 10 years, the journey lasted exactly what it used to last, on the HK side of the train trip, the last taxi line to the right was still the shortest line, Chinese taxi drivers were still almost rude, as only they can be, traffic organized and flowing as it always did, buildings decorated for the Christmas seasons and loads of street light... yes I had arrived in Hong Kong and the "feeling of belonging" was right there in my heart and that felt good and comfortable!
It was deliciously good to be at the Appels for Thanksgiving, thank you for the invitation and for having us over. I loved being with my scrapbooking girl friends (and their husband too) who managed to also repeat a tradition we had of going for a Christmas High Tea. I had an awesome time with my church girl friends with loads of chatting and yet another repeating habit, massages! Joel and I were taken for lunch and dinner by dear friends, coffees with loads of photography conversations, local phone call conversations... all very good!
My "revival" ten days came to an end when, yet again, the Captain announced we were descending into Panama City and as always, I looked out onto the window and the sense of belonging was there once again... the Bridge of the Americas was lit, ships lining up to enter or exiting the Canal were lit, the Causeway strip was lit... I was back to Panama City, our Home Sweet Home and that also felt very good!
So, should you be facing a revival in the near future, do not hesitate and go for it!
