Dear Andrew,
I just spent 4 days in the city where you started your trek across Asia, traveling, running ultramarathons, learning Mandarin and teaching English. While I was here, I visited Bomi, a friend who lives in Hong Kong. You met her one time, when she was traveling through Taipei, on that Sunday we ate at a potluck after Oasis and then got teas and walked to the park. That was such a fun afternoon. Bomi still remembers you, and she misses you. It only ever took one time for you to make an unforgettable impression.
All of us hanging out that super fun Sunday afternoon.
I remember a specific interaction between you and her. We were all on our iPhones (of course, in this day and age), taking pictures and uploading them to facebook. We were joking about how much people “like” things that are posted. So Bomi uploaded this picture to facebook and then, I think, told you specifically to get on facebook and like it. So you did, by hitting the “like” on the screen of HER iPhone. The whole ordeal was quite entertaining. She laughed. We all laughed.
So many times, it’s the little things worth remembering.
I loved Hong Kong, and will definitely come back some day if given the opportunity. It’s such a bustling and international city compared to Taipei, and so much English! You barely need any Chinese to get around. A lot of cool things to do and see, and I did as much and saw as much as I could, including hiking up to Lantau Peak, the second highest peak in Hong Kong. I thought of you as I hiked (and during my whole HK adventure for that matter). Did you get ever get up there while you were in Hong Kong? Well, I brought you with me.
There’s still so much of the world to see, Andrew. And along the way, there are the people that make our experiences mean everything. It’s cool flying solo every once in a while, but like Christopher McCandless wrote in his journal during his final days in Alaska, “Happiness only real when shared.” He discovered this too late. You shared your happiness up to the very last moment.
Below: Bomi and I parted ways infront of the MTR station. We needed one last picture. I’m flying solo to Indonesia tomorrow morning.
Your friend and fellow world traveler,
珍珠
CYCLES 