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Epilogue
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I am home. The time went by so quickly and the experience was incredible, but it does feel good to be home.
The flight between Beijing and Vancouver was interesting - again, I was 1 of 3 non-Chinese and on this trip the difference between the cultures was a bit more obvious. Let's just say that we don't share the same ideas about manners, personal hygiene or when and where changing your clothes is appropriate. I'll leave it at that.
It was so great to see a friendly face when I cleared customs in Vancouver. Tom met me at the airport and took me to the hotel (sorry again for the heavy luggage!). After a quick "freshening", we walked to an area that has many restaurants with outside dining. It was so wonderful to see the sky and mountains! We sat outside, had a leisurely late lunch and enjoyed a few cocktails (well, I had to be sure I could sleep). Great food, conversation and scenery - what more could you ask for. Thanks again, Tom.
The flight back to Chicago was completely full - no big surprise these days. It was cruise ship day, so there was quite a bit activity in the airport. There was a lot of "hunter-type" of people on my flight - many sturdy older white men with t-shirts of deer and baseball caps saying 'Alaska'.
I felt pretty good once I got home - I must have had a second wind, because I didn't fall asleep until 4am. Today I felt as if I'd been hit by a truck.
Some final thoughts -
Food - I had all of my meals at the hotel because they were hosting dinners, lunches, etc, so I really didn't have an opportunity to explore. I can say that the fruits were quite good. Their oranges are slightly different than ours - I don't know what it is, but I had to have them every day. Tried their dragon fruit and something else that looked a little like mango, but it wasn't - I didn't especially care for it. We had Peking Duck again - this time no skin with sugar. This was Cantonese style which is slightly different. I think I preferred that style. Had pickled bean curd, which looked like tripe, but thankfully it wasn't. Also had black fungus - it's a type of mushroom that is flat and very slimly - impossible for me to manage with chopsticks - even difficult with a fork. I didn't care for it. But, everything else was really wonderful - interesting seasonings, very fresh.
People - The people from the Hyatt were extremely gracious. I know they want the business, but it was much more than that. I felt a genuine warmth from each of those I worked with and met. There were Germans, Chinese, Tunisian and Korean. A very interesting mix of people, but you knew that they loved what they did.
I also had the opportunity to observe guests of the hotel in the concierge lounge. That was pretty telling. There were many people there on holiday, mostly from Britain or Australia. The business conversations that I observed involved all men - no women. There was a conversation that I overheard that really irritated me. At first it was two men who were obviously discussing business - where to expand, legal issues, etc. The man who was serving as the "local contact" was European, but I couldn't place his accent. I didn't know what nationality the other man was. A third man joined them and was carrying a newspaper. He was of the same nationality as the other and they starting speaking either Arabic or some other middle eastern language - he was reading a newspaper which was symbols rather than words. Anyway, as they were leaving, one of the men said to their "host", is there really anything to see here? He replied about the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square, but then stated - "I'm not a tour guide, in my opinion, it's just another city". They shrugged their shoulders and left. How arrogant they were - it made me so angry. I was very relieved that none of the hotel staff were around them.
When I was at the airport waiting for my flight, there was a group of Americans sitting close enough that I could hear their conversation. They were from somewhere around Arkansas or Missouri. They must have had some challenging times, because one of them said that it had been a long trip with many ups and downs, but at least he learned something about China. He said that all he knew of the country before he left was what their flag looked like, they were all Communists and they marched straight-legged. I hope he did learn a little more and that his view of the country changed a bit.
Politics - This might not be the right title, but I have to say something about how the US government is viewed internationally. I know this isn't news to many of you, but folks, it's not good. I was able to watch international news stations and the coverage of Bush in the UK. Even though we know intellectually that our image has been tarnished, it doesn't hit you until you watch some of the broadcasts. It isn't anything overt, but it is a bit more subtle. We have a long ways to go to re-establish our credibility. The main topics - war and the economy.
Home - Regardless of what I wrote above, I have to say this. I feel very fortunate that I am a woman of choice. I have options for a career, I can live anywhere I choose, be married or not, choose not have a family or if I do have one, I can have as many children as I want (okay, it's a little too late for that one). I have a home that is more than excessive by world standards and my life is very easy compared to most around the world. It humbles you and makes you thankful. I so appreciate the opportunities I have had to travel to different countries and meet people from different cultures. It is so important in understanding our place in the world. While on this trip, I finally had the time to finish Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (thanks, Dan). It was the perfect book to read on a trip like this. If you have not read it, please go to the website threecupsoftea.com and purchase the book. There are many valuable lessons to be learned and you will help a very worthy cause - education - which is what I am talking about. Education for ourselves and education for others.
That's it, folks- it must be bedtime in at least one of the timezones that I have been in lately. Thanks for reading - I hope you enjoyed traveling with me.
Peace to all - cac
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