Mystery of the Orient
It was an unusual trip that was planned,
stranger still that my Mother-in-law was the reason.
A wonderful woman who was liked by all who knew her,
kind, gentle, hard working, and grateful for the gift
of reaching America to see her children and dreams grow.
Young Chinese woman
Leaving family abroad
American dreams
She wanted to see her home just one more time...
a small village in China.
Nixon's trip had made it more accessible,
and she wondered what the old homestead had become.
With a grown daughter she had not seen in 35 years,
left with her mother because of difficulties in travel visas.
Aching to see home
A child she missed so much
Excited to go.
My wife, I, and young son accompanied her on this journey,
meeting a cousin in Hong Kong after the long flight.
I was surprised by the Cosmopolitan atmosphere, but
then remembered it was still under British Rule.
We spent the next day getting all the visas and passes needed
to cross the border into "Red" China. Some sightseeing was
done, but our train would leave next morning.
Family affair
Tokyo and Seoul connections
Bureaucratic bunk.
Our three drivers were waiting after our one night in Guanzu.
Eager to prove their skill, we gave them nicknames for the
style each one drove. "Speed Bump Racer" hit every pothole along the
200 mile trek. "Dead Man's Curve" would only pass on blind curves, and
"Honkin' Hank" loved the sound of his horn. Each impressed me with their
daring, especially with our lives in the balance. We were fortunate to make
it to the village in one piece, even if the trip was a bit rough.
Three idiots drove
Putting our lives in their hands
How did we survive?
My Mother-in-law's home had not changed much, but the village had.
A new Civic Center was the showplace and a feast in her honor to be held.
Over 10,000 firecrackers to start a feast? This was to be her
welcoming honor; we listened to continued blasts for five minutes.
The entire village was invited to join. A whole roasted pig and other delicacies.
Her oldest daughter, now married with children, family, and friends gave her a send off only a star would have appreciated. The trip home was anticlimactic.
Who could know her thoughts?
Deafening silence from her
Tears of remembrance.
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