Matthew and I just returned from our quick getaway to Hong Kong. I picked up my passport after "presenting" myself (now really, who would really want to be me?) and picked up Matthew's passport and ran over to the China Eastern Air ticket office to pick up our plane tickets. We ran home and packed a quick bag and Matthew and I were off running for the airport to catch a 4 pm flight to Hong Kong. Landed, picked up a Hong Kong SIM card and called my cousin from the airport and said "WE'RE HERE!!!". Needless to say, it was a wonderful reunion for me to see my family after many years (too many years) and a wonderful experience for Matthew.
Most of my family never met Matthew in person and have seen him in pictures over the years. My Godmother met Matthew when he was 4 months old with a few whisps for hair and no teeth. She was amazed to see him in person and we were all amazed at how time quickly passes. My cousin Cheung Yau and his wife, Gloria were planning to visit us in Shanghai since I couldn't leave China without the residence visa. So needless to say, when I called to say we arrived in Hong Kong he was absolutely thrilled. Of course, immediately after my arrival, I arranged for Matthew's return visitor's visa into China otherwise, he would be stuck in Hong Kong and can't attend school (I'm sure if I told him he couldn't attend school, he would be thrilled).
We had a reunion with May and the kids and spent Thursday wandering around Hong Kong Island and the New Territories. We took the kids on a tour and we visited a very old village and showed the kids what life is really like to other families. Needless to say, they were quite shocked to see people living in a home that is less than 200 square feet that comprised of a kitchen, living room and bedroom and no bathroom in the home. These residents had to use the bathrooms in the outhouses. Jocelyn and Matthew were shocked and quite appreciative of what they have at home.
May and I left the kids with Auntie Momo that evening and went shopping at the Ladies Market in Mong Kok. The Ladies Market is like a flea market where vendors set up their "stalls" and everything and anything is available. All you have to do is roam around and see what you're looking for and start bargaining. Needless to say, I was very happy to be able to "speak" to the vendors in Cantonese and have them understand me and utilize my bargaining skills. May was happy to have me there to translate for her and we had a great time just the two of us wandering the streets without the kids. Our fantasy lasted about two hours and we had to return to reality.
Tony was on business in Shenzen, China and was scheduled to return to Shanghai on Friday evening but, decided to take the Turbojet Hydrofoil from Shenzen and arrived in Hong Kong on Friday evening and spent the weekend with us. Of course, there was fabulous food in Hong Kong and lots of shopping. We wandered back to Mong Kok on Saturday morning to what is known as Electronic Alley with May and they each picked up new cell phones. Of course, I had to bargain for them and had to be subjected to being yelled at by the sales person since Tony didn't believe the prices quoted for the phones were absolutely low until he left the store and started to see what other stores were quoting for the same phones. After realizing the mistake, I had to go back and "eat crow" and of course, "accept the blame" for the sale being botched in the morning. Since I had the upper hand and could speak Cantonese, I told the sales person that both Tony and May were difficult to deal with and it was no joy for me to have to work with them as well. Ok, I had to put some blame somewhere.
We had a farewell dinner with May, Auntie Momo and the kids last night. They left Hong Kong last night to go onto Cyprus to see her cousin Jo who has been expatriated there for an assignment. Needless to say, it was a tearful farewell. May's Grandmother was pretty teary eyed, her Aunt and Uncle as well but, they promised to come visit us in Shanghai soon.
I had "farewells" with my family as well but, since we will be returning to spend the Christmas holiday with them, it wasn't as painful. Tony left this afternoon to return to Shenzen for business on the Turbojet Hydrofoil and Matthew and I left to return to Shanghai to prepare for school orientation on Wednesday.
Matthew loves Hong Kong and he's pretty excited that we'll be spending Christmas in Hong Kong with my family. May and the kids are planning to return to Shanghai next summer and we'll probably plan a trip to Beijing, Xian and Guilin with the kids.
