A NIGHT OUT

Since the last time I have posted to my blog, so much has happened. I took a two-week trip to China. I’ve moved on to the data analysis stage of my dissertation. I’m making preparations for my trip home in December, and I’m helping teach three courses this fall at the University of Hong Kong. But, the purpose of this blog entry is to share some pictures and memories from a night on the town in Hong Kong that I had this week with my friend Piers.
I’ve written about Piers several times in this blog. We will be presenting a paper together in November at the 12th Annual International Mobility Conference sponsored by the Hong Kong Society for the Blind. Piers and I swap stories and laugh a lot together. His English is very good, and he relishes the opportunity to practice with a native speaker. Because Piers is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, I pepper him with many of those burning questions that blind people always seem to have for such folks. So, we just enjoy each other’s company.
Piers has come to the Senior Common Room at Hong Kong U to dine with me a few times. This time, we decided to try a nice Chinese place in Hong Kong. After all, my time in Hong Kong is drawing to a close. So, I want to accumulate as many happy memories as possible.
Piers told me that the place we were going was quite exclusive. Much to my father’s relief, I’m finally starting to like this dressing up thing. I dawned one of my custom-made dresses purchased in China. I waited for Piers at the Main Library at Hong Kong U. He met me, and we were off!

Instead of braving the bus and subway system, we took the lazy way out and haled a cab from Bunham Road. Since Piers is Hong Kong Chinese, he directed the driver in flawless Cantonese. I sat back, content in the knowledge that I wouldn’t have to stress about communication.
As the driver efficiently whisked us off to the luxurious restaurant, Piers and I chatted about our recent trips abroad. He, his wife, and her family took a trip to Hokkaido, Japan. They enjoy visiting hot springs, and Japan’s northern-most island is famous for them. I told of my adventures in China in teaching English and visiting dear friends. When I get the pictures from my friends in China, I will write of that trip in more detail on the blog.
As soon as Piers and I stepped into the building where the restaurant is housed, I knew that I was in for a treat. The floors were slick and clean. The atmosphere was hushed and populated by dignified people. When we entered the Golden Bauhinia, a server greeted us discretely and showed us to our reserved table overlooking the harbor. As I put my handbag down, the server readied a linen napkin for me. He pushed my chair in as I sat down and gently placed the napkin on my lap.
Piers and I chose a set of dishes which he will describe in his now-famous captions to the pictures. All I have to say is that the food was delicious! I’ve finally tried the shark fin soup everyone’s been telling me about. And, how nice of Piers to get me a souvenir from Japan! Gosh, I’m out of American presents for men. Oh, what to do?

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