After almost a year of talking to Roberta about the China trip I almost did not make it. First, I was worried about my 82 years old traveling the long distance. Secondly, my arthritis in my hips and legs. Last and most, leaving Chris at home by himself was unthinkable, especially after his 2 falls and 2 emergency trips to the hospital.
Then, a week before the trip, Chris volunteered that he would go to a retirement home so I could go to China because he thinks I should go on this trip. My heart opened up with joy, excitement and appreciation of his consideration.
Let me begin with the highlights of this trip
for me.
* Our first stop at the old Wang-Fu Jing in Beijing had brought back so much memory from my days there. It used to be the main and busy pedestrian section whiles I was growing up, but not nearly as busy and many people as now. Thanks Roberta for booking the hotel nears by so I could relive the old times.
* The bullet train was incredible! Out trip 2006, it took us 3-4 hours driving from Beijing to Tainjing. Now, 28 minutes!
* My biggest highlight was visiting Dongya Textiles, father's old factory office. Upon arriving the old factory headquarter, there was the Butting Rams statue with "1932" on the front. When I saw father's large bronze picture on the wall I just lost it.
I wanted to hug him and to tell him how much I love him, miss him and proud of him. I just felt he was with us the whole time we were in Tainjing. As I and writing this blog now, tears swells my eyes.
* After Roberta's last trip back, she told me that one has to be there to see, hear and feel how much people remembering and admiring father. She was so right! At the Tainjing Textiles Museum , there was one room that dedicates father and Dongya only. With the TV crew there to film us because we were the descendents of our father/grandfather/great great grand father, not because we were from America. How proud was I to feel he was my father! After 60+ years, he is still remembered as the country treasure.
* Then, Roberta's TV interview at the government museum and the talk of the director of the museum were all about father and his accomplishments. One could not imagine how respected and admired they have for father. This only made me more proud to be his daughter.
* I've been back to the Song/Wong Village with Roberta and Rebecca before, but we did no have the 3 sedans' escort....It was quite an honor, Roberta!
* At the Tianjing train station, we were stopped by the security check because of the souvenir swords Matt, Mike and Mark bought. Upon learning who our father was decided to let us through. The supervisor told us he was an admirer of Mr. Song and all he had done for the people of Tainjing. I still cannot believe how those ordinary citizens would know about our father.
* I enjoyed the 100 floors high Shanghai Commercial Building (Tallest in the world). It took less than one minute reaching the top in the elevator. Then, to walk on the glass floor to get dizzy....It is definitely one of my life time adventure.
*** Last and the most, I feel blessed to see the family and the cousins got so much closer in the 2 weeks of time. How, when and where could we have another opportunity like this otherwise?
Thank you Roberta for what you have done for this family. The 5 stars hotels, official escorts, banquets and sightseeing besides the ancestral village visit are all beyond our expectation.
With my love,
Big sister Rachel
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