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Trip Start Jun 18, 2008

Trip End Sep 04, 2008

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Flag of United States Washington DC, District of Columbia
Saturday, October 4, 2008

So I have returned to the United States, where I am not special for being white and unless I manage to bring it up in conversation (which I tend to do), I'm not special because you don't know or care that I just spent 3 months in Asia. Has blogging been a self-indulgence so people can read what exciting adventures I've had and be impressed? ... maybeee... No matter, if you are reading this final post, you are likely a faithful reader, and I appreciate your sharing my trip with me. It's encouraged me to keep up my writing. And, so, I owe you a conclusion.

We had approx. 36 hours in Hong Kong, and we spent at least eight of them in Macau. A former Portuguese colony, Macau is now known for its Vegas-wannabe casinos. I visited Las Vegas earlier this year and had pooh-poohed it expecting the city to feel flashy and trashy. However, I was delightfully surprised at the amount of fun Adam and I had drinking in the streets in the afternoon and hopping from one casino to the next playing slots and me watching Adam win then lose money in blackjack. Macau, on the other hand, is a lesser imitation. There is no "strip" to cruise and all the people are sedate: middle aged middle class Chinese/Japanese/Koreans. Even if I enjoyed gambling, I don't think I'd have liked Macau any better. My travel recommendation: stay in Hong Kong.

And here are two reasons why I loved HK: shopping and taking public transportation alone without fear of getting lost and feeling helpless. Leaving the boys, I made my way to the (in)famous shopping street, Nathan Rd. I include the paranthetical infamous because it's retail heaven or hell depending on your love or loathing of shopping. I'd been saving my shopping for the end so that I wouldn't have to shlep my purchases around Cambodia and Vietnam, so I did a one morning spree. Ironically, the only stores in which I bought anything were Japanese chains.

Finally, it was time to go back to America. I was ready. Customs was a cake-walk, and I didn't feel at all nervous that they'd make me surrender the tea I'd gotten. The instant we got to our gate in San Francisco, I ordered a turkey (cold cuts!!!) sandwich and found an outlet to charge my phone and began gabbing to my mom. One thing I missed while in Asia was the ability to just pick up my phone and call someone when I wanted to talk and hear their voice.

From San Francisco, Adam and I went to DC where we stayed with college friends and planned a trip to NY for Rosh Hashana with his extended family. It felt so indescribably good to be among familiar places and people.

As for jet lag, I'm still not sure I've recovered. Although, maybe it's for the best that I don't return to the days when I could sleep in until 10:30. Adam's got the flu, and for a while we were nervous he'd contracted malaria--but don't worry, he's safe. Quite honestly, my biggest adjustment was retraining myself to throw my toilet paper into the toilet and not the trash basket. (But what if it doesn't flush!?) I've spent a lot of money since coming home, but I had been mentally preparing myself for that initial sticker shock. And someday soon, I'll go out for Chinese food. I know I'll be disappointed, but I've got to do something to quiet my cravings.

I'm going to print out my blog (unedited) and shop it around to Random House and the likes, so look for my Rachael Blogs Beijing book on the New York Times Bestseller List next spring. HA!

So, that's about it. For now.

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