Magic, of the Mystical and Commercial Variety

Hello All,

It's been a while since I've updated, and there are several reasons for this. #1-I've been bothered by an article I read recently about Julie Powell (of "Julie and Julia" fame) and how she was such a self-indulgent person. It vilified blogging and bloggers as whining children, forcing their diaries on the world. So, I've had to psych myself up to write (or more appropriately publish) again. #2-I've been travelling, out actually living my life instead of documenting it. Since I was thirteen, I've always empathized with Mark in "Rent" and his struggle to simultaneously witness and participate in life. "You pretend to create and observe when you really detach from being alive." For those of us who consider ourselves "artists", it can be hard to actually engage instead of composing narrative in our heads. It's an outside-looking-in feeling that I've dealt with all my life, and I'm happy to report that, for the most part, I'm kicking that feeling's ass right now. But, I do love blogging. :)

Anyway, here's what happened on the last day of my whirlwind Hong Kong trip, which from the safety of my bed, er, desk, here in Singapore, feels a million years away. But, I shall muster up the feelings and events of that trip, with the aid of the awesome pictures I took.

We got up early (or as early as we could, given the 6am in time from the club the night before) and headed out to Lantau Island to see the Giant Buddha. For reasons unknown to me, there is a giant Buddha statue on a small island on the outskirts of Hong Kong near the airport. You have to take a cable car to get up there and it's not a short trip. You are treated to some cool views on your way up though, which was fun. It was really cold up there. All of HK was cold, but this was the crisp-clean mountain air kind of cold, which I had been missing ardently since Santa Fe.

At the top, it was a long walk to Buddha, which was okay, because the view was Awesome. As in, full of awe. The sheer randomness of this huge bronze Buddha in the middle of nowhere somehow made it all the more beautiful. People expect religion in churches and temples, but not out on a windy mountaintop. It made me feel safe, this visual confirmation that God is everywhere. It was a bit cloudy, so some of my shots didn't come out well, but here they are. Again, as always, you had to be there.

As we descended from the realm of angels and spirits, we decided to delay our return to reality by making a detour to...Hong Kong Disneyland! I really, really, really wanted to go but desperately tried not to betray my enthusiasm. Jocelyn, Maleeka, and Priya are women of the world, not five-year olds like me. Would they run away when they saw the depths of my love for Mickey?

As always, I should not have worried. Maleeka had never been to Disney before and was enchanted, as were the other two. We all had a grand old time dashing from attraction to attraction, meeting Mickey, and generally being kids again. (Well, again implies that I ever stopped, so for me, just being a kid I guess.) Here is proof of how much fun we had-a candid shot mid-teacup ride by Jocelyn:

Visiting Hong Kong Disney was an exercise in same-but-different. Not thrilled with the level of customer service, I was gratified to see that Disney cast member courtesy was universal. The other girls remarked on their helpfulness as well. However, there's a bakery on Main Street at home (Disney World, FL) that makes the most delectable cookies (raspberry-white chocolate) and when I went into the sister bakery in HK, which was in the same spot, the food was all different. (Dad and PJ-there were still turkey legs. I was confused to see that no one was eating them. Apparently Asians only eat turkey legs at Disney in the US. They leave them alone in Hong Kong and eat noodles instead. Mystery still unsolved.)

I am glad to say that Disney magic is certainly alive and well all the way over in Hong Kong. Despite some wacky regional differences (no cookies, Buzz Lightyear Space Rangerettes, and Mickey et al. dressed in Chinese outfits) the place felt very much like home. I missed my sister, sharply and intensely. I am so proud of her for her work there, bringing joy to so many people. I made up for my sadness by buying her some sweet swag in the gift shop. That, at least, was exactly the same as in US.

To underscore the we're-all-special-but-also-similar theme,  we rode "It's a Small World". I was surprised how much joy I got out of it. Big difference from the US-Disney characters were in their respective countries! E.g., Peter Pan in England, Simba in Africa, Aladdin and Jasmine in Middle East, etc. It was really cool and I was pointing and waving like the other kids in the boat. 

I also found something that we don't have at home, a Belle statute. I cackled with glee and dashed across the sidewalk to embrace her. Note the rapturous expression of joy on my face. You can't fake that, folks. I remembered that I started this blog with a quote from Belle, and here I was, encountering her halfway across the world. Then I did cry a bit, which I had been fighting all day. It was all just too wonderful. Luckily no one noticed.

We left Disney reluctantly and made our way to the airport, where we waited for our flight, which was delayed SIX HOURS! But that is another story altogether. So, I will leave you with some pictures, including the Space Rangerettes. You know, life is funny, sometimes halfway across the world you can find home again. Except now it's better because you know what it's like to leave it. Anyway, sionara suckers! Love you all.

the infamous Rangerettes. Why can't we have these in the US?



Sleeping Beauty's castle. Yes, it's small, but it makes sense with Asian architecture.