Am I in Hong Kong?

Outside forces conspired to make me miserable in Hong Kong. But they failed. I made the most out of my four days there and I came through grateful for small and big blessings.

I was still nursing the remnants of a two-week stubborn cold from some strain of a virulent virus when I landed in HK. I felt lethargic, a new kind of feeling which was alien to me, so I slept if off the whole afternoon.

What a contrast to my HK trips with friends when I was young and peppy! (And foolish.) As soon as we had deposited our luggage in the hotel, we would run to the all the shopping centers, come back to the hotel when the bags got too heavy to carry, then rush out again for more bargain hunting. We’d grab a quick, cheap meal and shop some more till 12 midnight when all stores were locked up for the day. The next day would be the same—we shopped and never dropped.

A shopper’s paradise HK was and is.

But that was not to be, not for me this time around. After waking up from a long nap, I got ready for the formal dinner where I was invited to deliver an inspirational talk at the Christian Trade Association International convention.

I felt woozy and was feverish but I received enough grace to be inspired and, I hope, inspiring. I was rewarded with an applause and a heavy chunk of good-looking glass (or maybe crystal?) with my name etched on it from the organizers.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting new friends from all over the world. The representatives from mainland China spoke a different language but through a competent interpreter we understood each other to the last article and conjunction.

I met an American author, John Mendola, with whom I had a spirited discussion about his books on the end times. He gave me complimentary, signed copies—seven in all.

The next day was not much different. The tenacious fever would not let go. I looked down from my hotel room on the 19th floor and saw people rushing in and out of stores carrying shopping bags filled with goodies.

HK was, as usual festive and feisty. It was a perfect time to go down the elevator and join the shopping crowd. I went to bed and read John’s first three books.

The next day, I thought I should earn my keep and attend the convention. I did—for half an hour. I wasn’t concentrating much anyway so I decided to walk around and maybe trade my cold virus with the shopping bug. I struggled to walk to HMV for the CDs my first son wanted. They were not yet available.

Then I had to look for a Giordano shop for the tees son number 3 specified. Got a few on sale. I saw a myriad of “sale” signs—which would have pumped enough adrenaline into my body to last a year—but they seemed more like the signs I see along EDSA, Bawal umihi dito (Don’t pee here).

Got back to my room and finished reading the rest of John’s books with constant references to my Bible, a luxury I am often deprived of at home. I imagined myself, some other time, in that wonderland when lethargy and fever would be gone. It was a great thought.

The day of my departure, on the double-deck bus going to the HK humongous airport (where you need to take a train to go to your deaprture gate), I never felt better. It was as though the difficult three days never existed. I looked around the place which was once magical. It still was—in a different way.

The modern buildings under construction, new infrastructure, neatly landscaped patches of green in a cement jungle, efficient service, and clockwork precision kept me awed. They spoke of people who think alike about progress and a distinct place in the global village.

They became dreams for one’s homeland, up until the end times: “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18 (ESV)

(That's me in the photo, receiving my chunk of crystal.)