There's No Place Like Home

I know I’m sporting a “Gulf tan” under my layers of winter clothing, as I brave the Island’s pelting rain and comparably unbearable cold… and I couldn’t be giddier about it. No amount of wet weather or dreary skies can dampen my joys of being home. I did managed to earn some rather odd looks from my fellow Victorians, though, when I arrived at the airport, wearing nothing but a t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops. So, I wasn’t exactly ready to give up my hot Oriental weather yet, is that so wrong? Hong Kong was like something out of any Chinatown across Canada, only to the extreme and filled with incredibly hospitable people. We were fortunate enough to have arrived with the commencement of the Chinese New Year, and stayed for the duration of the festivities. The lights and decorations that adorned every alleyway vendor to the most extravagant of skyscrapers were breathtaking. We enjoyed a gorgeous fireworks display that outshone any I’d been spectator to before (save New Year’s Eve in Sydney Harbour), and with a show duration of over 25 minutes was enough to make this ol’ Edmontonian patron jealous. Miniature orange trees were just as abundant as the appearance of cute pigs and the traditional red and gold palette (this year is the year of the pig, or boar). I managed to make the most of my time in Hong Kong, especially as this was to be my last port before flying home. I was sure to sample all forms of local cuisine – just doesn’t sound right to ask a local where we can find some great “Chinese food,” you know? The strangest of the dishes was purchased by a friend of mine; shark fin soup. After experiencing the mucus consistency of the broth, we quickly escorted him to the McDonald’s line up for a Big Mac… trust me, he earned it! One of the best parts of travelling in the Eastern countries of the world is the cost of food. The portion sizes were just as plentiful, if not more, and yet we were paying next to pennies for some of the best food I have tasted. Just to put things into a more western perspective for you; a Big Mac Meal with an extra Quarter Pounder with cheese burger would cost a North American about $8 - $10. In Hong Kong, for example, it works out to $3.25. It was stuff like this that consistently had me questioning who was really the “civilized” society. There is a lot to be said about a culture that attaches more value to life’s necessities, thus making it more attainable to the masses. Going from the bustle of Hong Kong, to the slower pace of Langford, BC should have been such a relief… but it was overwhelming in a way. It wasn’t so much that I was trying to find my path amongst so many faces I didn’t recognize, but that all the faces were white. Strange to say, I know, but after spending close to 6 months in close quarters with 230 of your closest friends in Middle Eastern and Asian nations, where you are the token white people, can make coming home a bit of a shock. I actually caught myself staring at fellow Canadians in the airports and listening closely to the accents of home. Exciting when you realize you are almost home in those friendly tones and rosy-cheeked smiles, but a bit frightening too. Just makes you notice that you are quickly leaving your element and will be jumping back into your old life again. So far, so good though. I’ll write more about my Hong Kong experience later, cause the longer I take to recount the tale, the longer all of you are waiting to hear from me. Will write again soon. To those of you reading from the boat – I miss you guys… BBQ at my place when you get back! I’m going through withdrawal – go figure!