1st Monday (October 7)
Our trip began with a short jaunt to Paxton, whereupon I turned the car around and came back home. It is not wise to forget the bag with all your wife’s shoes—the bag she asked you to put in your suitcase the night before—because you have very little in your gigantic piece of luggage.
After correcting my mistake, we then headed to the Chicago area without incident—other than a great silence in the car for a spell.
Stayed the night in a motel. Fighting nasal and chest congestion—not happy about that, especially with an airplane ride ahead.
1st Tuesday (October 8)
Left the car at our daughter’s home. Took a Lyft to O’Hare Airport. Was able to keep my pants up going through security—always iffy when they make me take off my belt. We piled on to a Cathey Airlines Airbus—with 300 other people, and headed off for Hong Kong—a 14 hour non-stop flight. My first time in Hong Kong. They drive on the wrong side of the road there.
Our hotel was called, “The Royal View.” As you know, not every place is appropriately named. But in this case, we have lovely rooms on the 18th floor, and a stunning view outside our windows of Hong Kong, its bridges, and the ocean. No jetlag that night. Slept well. Still congested.
1st Wednesday (October 9)
As we crossed the international dateline in flight, I missed out on October 9 this year. No diary entry.
1st Thursday (October 10)
We mucked around in Hong Kong a little while waiting to take an afternoon flight to Nanjing. Jie took us to a food court where she relished an authentic Chinese brunch.
Our two-hour flight to Nanjing (home of Jie’s parents) was uneventful. By the time we took the subway across Nanjing and a taxi to my hotel (Jie stayed our nine days in Nanjing with her parents) it was already late.
The hotel was first class. Except I couldn’t read how to regulate the temperature, turn off the TV (which came on when you opened your room door) or close the blinds (which also opened when you entered the room.) But I’m a quick learner—and had nine days to let Jie teach me. Still congested.
1st Friday (October 11)
I’m feeling the jetlag finally. Didn’t sleep well. Woke up at 4 and couldn’t go back to sleep. So, I listened to an audio book on King Henry VIII—hoping it would lull me back into slumber. After a disturbing chapter from his life (his whole life is disturbing, by the way) I for sure couldn’t sleep.
Surprised to know that I could get Facebook, Gmail, Spotify, and all my news feeds while in China. I know why—but perhaps shouldn’t say so out loud. Ask me later and I’ll whisper the reason for you. My brother Steve has a birthday today—but when I called him (I also have unlimited calling and texting for this trip) it wasn’t his birthday there yet. I am 13 hours ahead of Illinois time. So, he had to settle for an untimely Chinese birthday greeting this year.
Still congested. And today I had trouble breathing. At first I decided that it was the congestion. Then I decided it was my heart. Then I decided I had Covid. Then I decided I had pulled a muscle. Lots of decisions there. Jie won’t be around for a while, so I ate breakfast on my own at the hotel: a left-over dish of greens (don’t know what they are), an orange, a fiber bar, a cup of instant coffee, and a bottle of water.
By mid-morning Jie came back to get me and I got to see her parents for the first time in eight years. What a wonderful reunion. They don’t speak English, and I don’t speak Chinese. Perhaps that is why we never argue. It is clear that we have mutual love and respect—and Jie does a good job as a translator for us. They took us out for lunch. Jie showed them a copy of my book—and they took photos of me holding it. They complemented me on my ability to help people laugh and think—to comfort and inspire. I complemented them on the ways they have inspired me—through their dancing and calligraphy, their character and kindness, and their hospitality. I told them that I am learning from them how to age wisely. Then they interrogated me on U.S. actions in Gaza. It turns out that my answer was in alignment with their own opinions. I in turn asked about China’s support for Russia in the Ukrainian War. Jie’s dad said he was hoping I wouldn’t ask about that. It turns out we agree on that topic too.
They don’t use real money in China anymore. It’s all through QR codes on your smart phone—connected with your bank. My first purchase this trip—on my phone—netted me two bananas. I am also learning how to order a taxi on my own—in case Jie isn’t around. But everything on that app is written in Chinese, so I need to find kind souls to help me out.
In the afternoon, while Jie’s parents napped, she and I went to a nearby forest and mountain—now a city park. In the evening, we stopped for a quick supper at a restaurant and then Jie decided I needed a haircut. Wasn’t sure about that, but I can’t see my own hair anyway—she’s the one who has to look at it.
1st Saturday (October 12)
Woke up at 3:45 a.m. with anxiety. Read Psalms and sang hymns to get myself centered. In the middle of the night I’m worried about everything—Chinese government, cameras everywhere, my health…not doing well. Jetlag and helplessness in this place where I can read nothing, go nowhere without help, and buy nothing I would normally have on hand for my physical discomforts. Breathing better. But still congested.
Sister in law Linda’s birthday today. Texted her. Called my mom. And around 10 a.m. Jie picked me up and we had a lovely lunch with her parents, then went out on the town: the Nanjing Art Museum, then the Nanjing Oriental History Museum.
In the evening, Jie decided to help me buy an adapter so I could use a mini-SD card I had brought along. The only shop that carried one had closed. But Jie saw two men in there lingering around. So, she pounded on the door and yell to them until one came over. He was no help and walked away. But she persisted. Finally, the other guy came over and decided to help her. He was amused at her tenacity. Even though he didn’t take the chain off the door, he did open it a little, handed the adapter through the crack to her, and she paid for it with her smart phone. Then they both posed while I took a picture, everyone smiling.
First Sunday (October 13)
Still waking up through the night. Still fighting anxiety. Clinging to Psalm 131 to calm my nerves at night.
I gather food the night before for my breakfast, make my coffee in the room, and have found a way to do my exercises (upper arm strengthening and core strengthening) with pieces of furniture in the hotel room.
Jie is tired today too, and suffering from jetlag and trying to organize the rest of our trip. She needed to stay in at her parents and rest. So she got me for lunch and we ate at various street vendors. She kept finding things she wanted to take home. So after an hour, we had half a dozen bags filled with dumplings, duck heads, etc. Then we headed to the ancient Ming Wall and the Zhonghua Gate. Fortunately they had a locker where we could keep her food.
I got an app on my phone that took pictures of signs (written in Chinese) and translated them into English. Very helpful. Took a taxi back to Jie’s parents for supper. The GPS took the taxi driver down a narrow alley that wasn’t advisable. But he made it, and I was amazed.
Second Monday (October 14)
Feeling kind of blue. Election news from home is dark and depressing. Israel is now at war in Lebanon. Floods in North Carolina. And I’m stuck with my audible book on Henry VIII.
Other than lunch with Jie and her parents, I didn’t see her all day. On my own. For my supper, I went to the nearby mall and ordered seaweed soup and a nice noodle dish for my dinner. Still jetlag. Still congestion. But I am evidently over my imagined bouts with heart disease, RSV, Covid, diverticulitis, food poisoning, and pleurisy.
End of Part 1: China Diary. Part 2 on the way.
Repertoire 