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Published: October 11th 2005
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(Written on: Sunday, September 5, 2005, and Monday, October 10, 2005)
It is seemingly unfathomable that over two weeks have now passed since I returned home to Chicago. My adventures abroad feel like they were a figment of my imagination, although I know I was there....
As my flight departed from Hong Kong I made some notes:
My attempts to make my final blog entry were thwarted several times over; perhaps destiny decided my time was better spent exploring the many facets of Hong Kong rather than at a computer. First encounters can leave a lasting impression and for Hong Kong this was no exception. Immediately I was amazed by the cleanliness and sense of order found at every turn throughout the city. The train from the airport was carpeted with TV screens on the back of each seat. The absence of garbage was a dramatic contrast to all the other places I have traveled on this trip.
Yet another contrast was the price tag. By some standards Hong Kong can be inexpensive but relative to where I have been on my journey I experienced a bit of sticker shock. Beyond the cost there was one other drawback—the rain. As it is monsoon season in most of the places I have traversed I should consider myself lucky. However, I was somewhat disappointed that I was unable to utilize the outdoor pool on the roof of my hotel.
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Now Hong Kong is a blur, although some moments resonate in my head. There is the decal posted on a window that I passed…well almost passed. I glanced at the decal and then was immediately pulled back to pay more attention. The decal clearly said “Wisconsin Ginseng”—I smiled, took a photo to document that it was not a vision, and then continued my exploration of the city.
I also recall my final day in Hong Kong…I was eager to get the airport…excited to return home. I enjoyed my brief stay in Hong Kong, but the time had come for me to return home…and I was happy to be returning to Chicago. I was amazed to learn you can check your luggage from the subway station rather than dragging it all the way to the airport. (It also made me a bit nervous…would my luggage truly make it to the airport?) I was amused to learn after an inquiry about whether or not I was from Wisconsin (as it is listed on my passport as my place of birth, rather than Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the more accurate identifier), that the man behind the counter was a graduate of Madison. I told him that I was the only one in my family who had not gone to Madison (as all my surviving cousins and my sister are graduates of Madison). He asked where I went to school and I proudly said Minnesota. He responded with a smile and said, “Ah, you are a gopher.” How humbling that remark can be…how can a gopher ever be considered a fierce mascot. In any case, I was once again reminded of home. As I have been told before, you can take the girl out of Wisconsin, but you can’t take Wisconsin out of the girl. I’ll fondly take the best of what Wisconsin has given me....
As I approached the airport I considered the fact that I would be experiencing this day twice. Interestingly I would leave Hong Kong at 12:45 p.m. and I would fly directly to Chicago, arriving at 2:25 p.m. Amazing, in less than two hours I could travel around the world! In actuality August 19th would be one of the longest days I would experience all year.
Once I reached the airport I looked on the board to find the gate for my flight. CHICAGO was clearly listed among other cities throughout the world. Home, I was going home to Chicago. A tear formed in my eye. The moment was bittersweet. My journey was now coming to an end…I was truly grateful for all I had experienced, yet I was so unbelievably excited to be returning home…to see the friends and family I love along with a renewed sense of gratitude for the privileges I have. I am lucky, I am fortunate. As a human being I could have been born anywhere, my life could be different from what it is…at times I have experienced difficulties, but a glimpse of what I have seen in other places only reinforces that my life is one of privilege.
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Within the past week the events that have transpired have continued to reinforce the fact that I am fortunate. The devastation of hurricane Katrina has been unbelievable…the power of forces beyond human control…but what has been appalling is how events have been handled in the aftermath of Katrina. Ironically, I lead two trips to New Orleans when I was in college—the focus of those two trips was racism.
New Orleans was formidable in molding the person I am today. Molding involved three parts: part one involved my journey to and from the city; part two involved the relationships that were formed in conjunction with my travels; and part three involved what I learned about human behavior and systems of power while meeting and discussing various topics associated with race.
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Tomorrow yet another new chapter begins. School resumes for the approximately 650 students who attend the school where I work. As anticipation and anxiety enters my mind, I also contemplate thoughts of Ganesh(a), the elephant headed Hindu god who is invoked at the beginning of any auspicious task, the god who is also attributed with the removal of obstacles.
Events seem to be intertwined in my life…I bring my experiences and memories with me…
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Thank you to Brenda and (separately) Laura for looking after my abode and my mail to ensure all was safe and well. Thanks to Clara for providing a safe haven for my car. Thanks to my mom and dad for driving a hundred miles (400 miles total) each way to see me off on my adventures and to welcome me home! And for looking after my rambunctious kittens!! Thank you Val for meeting my mom after I delinquently left my cell phone in my parents car (Thanks for coming to visit and tolerating my sleep deprived state, one could not ask for a better best friend!). Thanks for all the welcoming messages upon my return--David, Kim, and so many others….
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October 10, 2005
So much time has passed.... I have had the best of intentions, to post some photos with my final blog entry. Ironically today marks the date my grandma passed one year ago. Again I am grateful for all that she has imparted to me, including her feisty nature. I am still in the process of posting photos, although it seems my social life is imposing on the best of my intentions.... I have begun to post some of my better photos, and I will work to add more. If you want me to forward a link once I get them posted via an online vehicle send me an email…I’m happy to share (or have a show and tell session as so many of you have asked for).
Again, I am grateful I have had the opportunity to see (and for some of you meet) you in the past year!
And beyond my gratefulness for everything I have mentioned…one thing is certain:
“There is no place like home, there’s no place like home....” (I’m thinking of you grandma! Dorothy Engelhardt (August 30, 1920-October 10, 2005))
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Tom
non-member comment
Welcome Home!
Thank you for letting me tag along with your blog. I enjoyed reading about your adventures.