Golden Week is a series of successive holidays in Japan that allows people the opportunity to take time off and travel somewhere. This year, I decided to head to Hong Kong for a week, with a stop-over in Zhongshan as well to visit my Dad’s side of the family.
I absolutely loved Hong Kong! While this was my third time being in HK, it was the first time I was actually coherent and aware of what was happening. I loved seeing my family that resides there, and I loved all of the food that was available to me that I hadn’t eaten in almost a year. I drank boba at least once each day!
Best of all? I was travelling in a society where I could speak the language! It was AMAZING. Never did I realize how far my Cantonese could actually get me.
Here are some of the highlights of the trip based on each day:
Day 1- April 30
After taking a flight all the way from Narita to Hong Kong, my family picked me up from the airport and took me back to their place. It was humid as hell, and I was sweating like a freak when I got off the aircraft. I hadn’t seen my cousin in years, but luckily I recognized her based on her Facebook photo. I was also relieved I recognized my HK Aunt! I mean- it had only been ten months since I last saw them in China. I stayed the night, and left the morning for Zhongshan.
Day 2 – May 1 [Zhongshan, China]
As part of my request, my family took me into Zhongshan today to see my Dad’s side of the family. I was so excited! Last year was definitely the shocker, since it had been nearly ten years since I had last seen them. This time was much easier to adjust, as I remembered most of their names.
I arrived into China and stayed at my Grandma’s house for a few hours. She was still sitting at the same spot that I left her last year, and she was still coherent enough to tell it was me. I couldn’t tell you how happy I was to see my family again. I had told my parents after the earthquake that I would see my family in China, and that home could wait. I’m glad they were okay with it.
My second-cousin (which in the Chinese hierarchy is merely my niece) has grown so much, but I don’t think she remembers me. I couldn’t see my other one that I played with so much the last time I was here. When I arrived to my Grandma’s house, it was a lot of catching up, saying hello, and giving out Japanese candy and sake as omiyage. I also had joeuk for the first time in a year, which was DELICIOUS! Loads of food panned the table.
I ended up playing mahjong the remainder of the time with my cousins, and left after a giant dinner with my family. When I got back to Hong Kong, my family bought me boba (OMG!!!!!!) and some street food. It was all so delicious, and I was excited to tackle the rest of HK after that.
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