Traveling with Jack and Theresa

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Introduction

To Group Or Not To Group

Hong Kong

Hong Kong to Canton

Canton

Guilin

Mr and Ms First Nighter

Surprise

Fini

 

Chinese Tour Psychology

Surprise

Some hours later as we entered the Canton Hotel, our guide cheerfully announced that we were all to meet in 15 minutes to go to “the best restaurant in all Canton.” Probably, it was because children were present that he was not given a beating in the lobby!

Aware that we were only 24 hours from returning to Hong Kong and predictable Chinese food, we reassembled in 30 minutes (the tour guide compromised some). Then off in another magic Yamaha bus we went, with the French four-year-old hollering at the top of her lungs, acting out what we were all feeling.

Predictable Chinese Food

Our guide was correct. It was an attractive restaurant. The meal was well prepared and beautifully served. Everyone had a glorious time. We shared a dining room with a group of about 75 Japanese tourists who followed their meal with individuals and couples leading songs. Eventually, they challenged us to a sort of sing off (after all present had consumed fair measures of Chinese beer and wine). For nearly two hours we went back and forth, exchanging songs and other bits and pieces of entertainment. Due to its multi-national make up, our side had more of a challenge than the Japanese, because we knew few songs in common. Nevertheless, we rose to the occasion and managed to fake our way through such numbers as “Down By the Old Mill Stream,” a jitterbug demonstration, “Waltzing Matilda,” “Frere Jacques,” “White Christmas,” several New Zealand folk songs, and “California, Here I come.” The Japanese left cheering us wildly, as we them, riding back to the hotel agreeing that it was a unique and joyous evening.

California Here I come...sooner or later

We speculated later on how to account for this rambunctious finale on the final night of our tour. The booze helped break down cultural and personal inhibitions, but somehow our tour members congealed into an actual working group, each member willing to take a chance or two as we competed with the Japanese. Maybe the Japanese led us across a possible Asian cultural barrier with which we had been struggling for 5 days. Perhaps it was the friendly give and take of competition. Perhaps the Japanese were more comfortable than the Chinese with the foreign white devils. Who knows, but we sure had one heck of a good time that night!

Way Down Under In Sydney Harbor

 


© 2014 Theresa Ripley