Our branch (small church group) had district conference (where a couple branch's meet together) in Shenzhen in September. Shenzhen is about 1 1/2 hours south of us and about 1 hour north of Hong Kong. Attending district conference is a sacrifice for most families as it requires travel and hotel accommodations. For our family, the cost is double. We require a van for transportation (instead of a car) and two hotel rooms. Because of this, we decided we should try to include a trip to the LDS temple in Hong Kong as part of the weekend. This way we could attend the temple and the conference and consolidate the cost into one trip instead of two.
Marcus has always told me that Hong Kong is close, about two hours south. This is true if you are talking sheer mileage and not taking into account travel time in China or crossing the border or transferring trains etc. Add in four kids and the trip is not an easy one or a short one. As I asked more questions and we discussed it more, we both felt we needed to leave earlier in the day on Friday. We ended up leaving our home at 1:30. We had to pick the kids up at school (2pm) and then head to the border. It was about a two hour drive just to the border. Then walk through immigration for China (and fill out paperwork for all six of us) and then go through customs/immigration for Hong Kong (and more paperwork for all six of us). It was a stressful hour.
Next we boarded a train in Hong Kong. We had to ride for about 40 minutes to get to our stop. We were told that our stop was a short walk from the temple but we had no idea what direction to walk in. Also, whenever people in China talk about a location they say, "It is just across the street" or "it is just around the corner" when in reality, it is across seven streets or around four corners. It is something I just don't understand. Because of this, I was very hesitant about walking our family and simple luggage around Hong Kong trying to find the temple "just around the corner". Also, we had to get dinner. We ate at McDonalds at the mall where our train stop was. After dinner, we grabbed two taxi's. In Hong Kong they have limits to the number of passengers that they can take. We easily exceeded that limit.
The temple ended up being very close to the mall and the train stop (and we will walk in the future). My taxi driver ripped me off. He gave me about half of the change back that he owed me. I was so worried about getting my kids and luggage out I didn't have a chance to count it until he had driven off. Totally fired me up. Later we learned that Marcus' driver also ripped him off by giving him currency from another country. Seriously! It was quite frustrating.
The temple was beautiful and full of peace just like any temple we have been to anywhere else in the world. They offer rooms for a very small fee above the church building across the street from the temple because so many people have to travel to attend this temple. We were very grateful to be able to stay in one of the rooms. It was small and simple with a twin bunk bed and a queen bunk bed. We were thrilled to have it. Our trip had taken us about six hours including dinner so we quickly settled the kids down for bed.
A relief society (women's organization) was having an activity in the building at the time of our arrival and had invited us down so I went down to check it out. It was so nice to have a group of members and to have the missionaries around. This is a privilege that China does not have yet. One of the women had her son come to the meeting. He had received his mission call that day in the mail. I listened to him open his call. He was called to the Hong Kong mission. It was so fun to be a witness of that. Marcus or I have served with the youth in our church as long as I can remember and we don't have any in our branch. It was a stark reminder of that. I have really missed the spirit they bring.
The other really refreshing part about Hong Kong is the number of English speakers. It is wonderful to have someone talk to you and to respond back. Just a simple conversation. Something I hope I never take for granted again.
Saturday morning started early as Marcus and I had to trade at the temple. He left at 6:30 for the first turn. I was to meet him at 8:45 to trade. I got the kids breakfast in the community room and went to get ready when I realized that Will had been playing with the door and accidentally shut it. There is only one key (which Marcus had) and no other way to get in. The temple across the street had another key but I was in PJ's and didn't feel comfortable going out. They didn't have anyone available to bring it over. So we waited. I think the schedule was too tight anyway. The temple thought we could pull it off but we both disagree after trying it out. So, Marcus came back at 8:50 and I quickly got ready to leave at 9:30 for my turn.
I have to mention a funny story about breakfast. Marcus had purchased some apples, oatmeal, and pastries at the market the night before for our breakfast. Another group was staying at the housing and had used all of the pots to make a big meal for later in the day. So no oatmeal. We decided the pastries and apples would be fine. I found a cutting board and knife and cut up everything so we could try it all and share the apples. We start eating and our mouths are burning. We found out the cutting board had been used by the other group to chop up their spicy food and they just rinsed it (very common). Needless to say, not much was consumed for breakfast.
The temple was awesome. Words can't quite describe. I knew I needed to be quick as my family was waiting outside but wanted to stay there forever. It felt like home. I am so grateful that it is only a 1/2 day trip away. In this part of the world, it is such a small distance.
We quickly packed and left to start our journey to Shenzhen. Marcus had meetings at 3pm. We took the trains back to the border. Went through the hassle of customs and immigration again. I was more prepared with the paperwork this time so it went more smoothly… until we entered China. It was shocking to me the difference between Hong Kong and China and within ten feet I wanted to run back to Hong Kong.
I have heard people describe this but it seems so unreal and I hardly noticed the conveniences when entering Hong Kong. It was dirty, smelly, and everything was difficult instantly. Marcus wanted to take the trains to Shenzhen to save some money so we attempted to purchase tickets. The screens were blurry and the English would only stay on the screen for three seconds at a time. Once we finally found our train and purchased the tickets, coins start flying out. Apparently the coins are your tickets. When you purchase six of them they fly out onto the floor. Then we are off to find our train. Not an easy task.
Once we find our train we realize we have two transfers. It is difficult to know which station you are at so we are paying close attention. After the first stop we start getting stares again and people are trying to touch our children and take pictures of us. Again, I hadn't noticed the lack of it in Hong Kong but what a difference. In both countries, people are very kind and allow me a seat on the crowded trains. I am grateful to them. After 45 minutes on the trains we get off and try to get a taxi. We are unsuccessful. This is a first and we are unsure what to do. Another foreigner notices us and helps us out. He gives us walking directions to the housing complex we are trying to find.
We walk, and walk, and walk. Remember the "just across the street"mentality? We arrive at the housing complex dripping in sweat and with tired bodies and children. Marcus is carrying Paige and the girls are hauling the two carry-ons. The guards help give us directions to the correct house we are staying at. We are late. The house is on the other side of the complex. Our gate is the furthest away. We walk forever. All of us are cranky and really struggling at this point. We haven't had lunch and Marcus is 40 minutes late for his meeting.
We asked the district if anyone would be able to house us for the night and there was a family that had a big home and volunteered. We were so grateful. This was about a $400 dollar saving for us. We arrive at the house (which is a few houses away from the church house) and nobody answers. I am near tears. About 10 minutes later Marcus gets ahold of the family (at the meetings that he is supposed to be at) and they come to open the door (but not without a reprimand to Marcus for being late - what?!).
We are let in and shown to a room and Marcus quickly leaves. I am a little stunned. It has been a long day of travel and we are hot/tired/hungry. I am also pretty emotional. Pregnancy will do that to you. Entering China again was hard. Much harder than I expected. More difficult than the first time. The tears just wouldn't stop.
We survived the weekend. District conference was good. The meetings were inspiring. One woman, who recently moved to Hong Kong with her family, said China was hard. She wishes she would have learned lessons earlier and jokingly said maybe they could have left earlier if she would have. I get the same feeling from most everyone here. It is hard. I haven't met anyone who loves it here or doesn't talk about when they might get to leave.
Although we were grateful to not have to pay an additional $400 for the one night hotel, our housing situation left much to be desired and we took our carry-ons with us to the meeting so we could leave directly after the meeting. We also made the resolve to always do everything in our power to have people feel welcome in our home. I hope no one ever feels like a burden in my home (especially if I have volunteered it). Thanks to helpful members of our branch, our driver was waiting outside when the meeting ended. We were all relieved to go home.
Hopefully our next trip to the temple will go more smoothly. We know the route better and that should help. Either way, I am grateful the temple is in Hong Kong.
0 comments:
Post a Comment