Hong Kong Day 6

Sometimes when I pick up Matis at daycare and I ask him how his day was he replies: I had a perfect day. He qualifies many of his days as perfect and it always makes me smile.

I too had a perfect day today. An unusually perfect day.

I decide that it’s time to get off Hong Kong Island and explore a neighboring Island by sea. Lamma Island promises a few great hiking trails away from the hustle and bustle of the city… so I get dressed for the occasion and head out to the pier to catch the ferry. The tailors see me coming a mile away as I exit the hotel: ‘Going to gym ma’am? Going to play Tennis ma’am?’ Come to think of it, the white skirt, t-shirt and running room cap do make me look like a tennis aficionado… I smile and continue walking fast, because, as usual, it is pouring rain. I duck into a mall on the way to the pier to escape the deluge. As I navigate my way across the air conditioned stores, I come across the perfect gift for my girlfriend MC who is celebrating a birthday in a few days. Rarely does it happen that I find a treasure unexpectedly and think: this is the perfect gift, for this person, at this time. I am absolutely thrilled with the discovery and buy on the spot. I can’t wait to go home and give it to her… imagining her face when she opens the gift makes me jump with giddy happiness… reminding me once again that giving is more fun than receiving…

The ferry ride is 30 minutes long, and I outside on the back of the ferry, eyes closed, legs crossed, in an attempt to meditate. My mind goes to dark places, then to forbidden places, and I whisk those thoughts away… I think of Morgen’s hair, Matis’ eyes, Laurent’s smile, our cats jumping on the piano to scare themselves silly… thoughts that bring a smile to my lips. Magically the rain stops for the first time in days and the sun comes out in full force.

I explore Lamma island on foot. There are no cars allowed here, and the family trail promises a good 1h20minute hike in the mountains from one side of the island to the other. There are few things I enjoy more than this type of long walk … I call it mindful meditation.

My hike takes me on a journey of discovery… The trail between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, surrounded by grassland, offers a picturesque walk. From there, one can see the coastline of the island. It takes roughly an hour to walk through the trail. I run into very few people. I notice a few 'caves' on the trail near Sok Kwu Wan, labeled on tourist signs as 'kamikaze grottos'. These are caves reputed to have been dug out by the Japanese during the war, according to legend, to hide their kamikaze boats.

On the ride back I take a few wrong turns and get lost in picturesque alcoves of the island. I manage to find a beach and go for a swim in the ocean… I walk for three hours all the while counting my blessings in life… health and the legs which allow me this day, family and friends who care to read this story, being surrounded by beauty, a steady job which permits this escapade, Laurent’s generosity – the points for the airline ticket, the hotel, the experiences… I count and count and count. I also throw a wish out into the universe… I wish for an idea to come for a story; a story I can write and share with the world. A story to uplift, bring readers comfort or joy, and live a worthwhile reading experience. I know that if I am on the right path, the story will come. Until it does, I vow to continue to write.

The ferry comes hourly on Lamma Island. I make my way back to the mainland and arrive during rush hour. In subway maze, I find my way back to the correct line, and manage to get back to the hotel without getting lost. I run into Laurent and Felicia a few feet from the hotel… Fancy meeting you here!

-‘Concierge, can you recommend a great restaurant? Near Temple Street?’ (Temple street is home to the fortune tellers… Tonight I have resurrected the desire to find out what the future holds)

-‘Of course madam, please wait a moment and we will make a suggestion by calling your room. And thank you madam.’ (I feel like a queen he says madam twice in one sentence).

An hour later we are sipping lychee and apple martini’s at Dap, which stands for .

And then the moment of truth. A meeting with destiny. The fortune teller beckons. It’s mostly good news folks. I will live to be 95. Although my past was rocky, my future is very bright. I am happy person. Good job. Good money. No troubles. Good husband. The whole consultation lasts 2 minutes. Face and palm reading only. For 200 dollars more I get the tarot. Put money in envelope please! Bossy lady, I say put money in envelope! One table over a tarot reading reassures me on my financial future, but tells me, alas, that I will not be so lucky in love…

There is an ad for a children’s TV station called PBS – which features giggling blindfolded children elbow deep in a bowl full of spaghetti who are asked to guess what they are touching – most of the kids think they are touching gooey worms or brain mush. The ad is there to remind that perception is reality – that it’s all how you look at it!

I had a perfect day. And that’s how I choose to look at it.


PS. As I write these few lines it is the end of Day 7 for me… which turns out even better than day 6. Stay tuned!