Part 3: Arriving in China

American: It’s ridiculous that, just as I’m figuring out how to manage life around here, I have to leave.

Malaysia: Well, good riddance to bad orang putih rubbish.

A: I— That’s rude. Well, see you never. {slam}

M: He’ll be back.

---

Hong Kong: Welcome!

A: Oh! Oh! I know this one! Ní hǎo! Zǎo chén!

HK: Néi hǒ. Jóu san.

A: Thanks, I— wait. What?

HK: Congratulations on spending months learning Mandarin so you could spend all of your time in Asia in communities that speak Cantonese. Well done.

A: But, this is China, so I thought—

HK: No, this is Hong Kong.

A: But Hong Kong is a city?

HK: {affronted} There is a whole national government here.

A: Oh! Well, “Neigh Hoe” then. I’m delighted to be in the nation of Hong Kong.

HK: Oh, no, no. China. The nation is China. CHI-NA? You know. The big one on maps? You must have seen it…

A: But I— You just said— Well, fine. Anyway, I’m hungry. I’ll just follow the signs that say “food.”

HK: Serenity can be found most readily in open spaces.

A: Well here’s an open space. One big empty airport room. People walk through, but nothing is here. It’s enormous. I thought the sign said there were supposed to be restaurants here.

HK: You will soon encounter the unexpected.

A: I— what? Aah! Why are all the food places along one wall? That’s kind of creepy.

HK: Simplicity leads to virtue.

A: I guess? Well, here’s one that sells bao. I love bao. I could eat bao at every meal and not get tired of it.

HK: Simplicity leads to boredom.

A: Listen. I just want some lunch okay? There are a lot of choices here. Does the woman at the counter speak English?

HK: 對不起，我不可以說英文。

A: Oh.

HK: Don’t worry. You can just point to the menu.

A: You just said that in English.

HK: 什麼的？

A: Fine. I’ll have… these… and this. Good. Mmm, these are really good! I should have ordered more, though; I’m going to be hungry soon. But I’ll feel silly if I go back.

HK: Foolish decisions are seldom made twice.

A: Well, at least I was able to navigate the airport rather quickly, and get to the taxi… sta… um…

HK: A variety of options lies in your future.

A: Yes, I see there are several different taxi companies, and they each have a sign. Well, these signs have a list of… neighborhoods, I guess? None of which match the address I was given. Hmm…

HK: All the information you need is close at hand.

A: You are starting to sound like a fortune cookie.

HK: That is extremely racist.

A: Sorry. I was just frustrated, and I’m feeling like—

HK: LUCKY NUMBERS ARE 7, 13, 27, and 42

A: You do know fortune cookies are an American thing, right?

HK: So is General Tso’s chicken.

A: I’m not sure how this is relevant to the conversation that we are—

HK: The path that lies ahead of you is close at hand.

A: Alright, well, there’s a “N.T.” in the address. Maybe it means “New Territories?” That’s one of the options on the sign on the left. And it’s not on the other one… except that the name of that taxi company is “New Territories Taxi.” Why does the one called “New Territories” not go to the “New Territories?”

HK: The winding road often leads to the greatest adventure.

A: Okay, you know what? I’m just going to pick one. And, hey, it turned out to be the right one!

HK: A wrong decision becomes right when it is made with confidence.

A: Yeah, tell that to the Church. Okay. We’re on our way. And the taxi driver complimented me on my Mandarin Chinese! Or at least, I think he did. I can speak somewhat badly, but I don’t understand a thing anyone says.

HK: Ignorance is bliss.

A: That is a fortune cookie I can get behind. Also, the countryside—

HK: {affronted} Special Administrative District-side.

A: —is very beautiful. Lots of mountains, and lots of green. The city just kind of winds around them, which I suppose is the way it would have to be. But it’s almost like civilization and nature coexist here. Very Zen.

HK: Excuse me. That’s Japanese. We’re Confucian, Taoist, Folk Religious, and Chinese Buddhist. A few other things. Not all Asians are the same.

A: I didn’t say Hong Kong was Zen. I said the countryside typified Zen values.

HK: One who uses generalism is often misunderstood.

A: That would be a terrible fortune cookie. Oh, look! We’re going up!

HK: Your future will bring you to new heights.

A: And up. And up. And the road is down to one lane now, which is kind of uncomfortable…

HK: The narrow path is often the most difficult.

A: Now you’re just repeating me.

HK: The words of a foolish man become jewels on the lips of the wise.

A: You know, you can stick those jewels right up your— Oh, look! We’re here. My God, this is beautiful. The chapel is simple, but the cross is breathtaking. The seminary architecture is clearly Christian, but distinctly Chinese. It radiates the Spirit everywhere. And this over here probably looks down into the valley, which will be a cool sight to see on the day after Transfiguration. Oh!—

HK: …

A: …

HK: Sometimes silence is all the words that are needed.