Hong Kong Pt.2 : Disneyland

In 1999, just as we were packing to return to America from Hong Kong, the big news in the territory was the confirmation that a Disneyland would be built. When we arrived in Hong Kong at Christmas time I knew one of the things I really wanted to do was to take Gabriel there and experience Disney in Asia.

I had been warned by friends before going not to get my hopes up, that it was "small" and did not have any thrill rides apart from Space Mountain. Thats OK though, I thought. I love all things Disney so Gabriel and I headed out to the park a couple days before Christmas.

Hong Kong Disneyland has the look and feel of Disneyland in America except with some subtle differences to appeal to the Chinese local. In addition to cheeseburgers and french fries, one can get Kung Pao chicken or Sweet and Sour pork. But on Dec. 23rd it all looked like Christmas.

I did get into trouble with Gabriel briefly by getting him to go onto Space Mountain when deep down I knew he wouldn't like it. He did it, but I pretty much assured that he wouldn't try a rollarcoaster again for the next 10 years.

People had said we would be finished with the park after just a few short hours. Not so for Gabriel and I. We arrived at 12 noon and stayed until after the park closed at 9:00 PM. We rode things two or three times, ate, shopped and just enjoyed each other and the park. Whether it was the Jungle Cruise or Winnie the Pooh, we just enjoyed the fusion of Disney and Christmas!

The fireworks were amazing and as we began walking back up Main Street USA for our departure, a Disney produced "snow" began to fall creating a surreal "Dickensian" like Christmas scene.

At one point Gabriel asked, "Papa, is this a little like heaven will be?"

"Yeah," I replied, "but this is just a glimpse."

Thanks for your prayers!!

Back in October I was running along the beach when I realized I was experiencing some pain in my chest. The more I ran, the worst the pain got and when I stopped, the pain eased. I convinced myself it was gas or indegestion.

Problem was everytime I ran, it occured. Finally last week I went across the bay to the International Clinic in Qingdao. They ran an EKG and x-ray. Everything was OK. They sent me to the cardiologist that afternoon who ordered a stress test. There was the pain and the doctor confirmed it was a blockage. Said I needed angioplast and that they could admit me into the hospital right then. Ouch!

I called Tammy, then I called our insurance company who said that the top hospital in Beijing was covered and that I should consider going there for the procedure. The English GP at the clinic suggested it would be a good idea. So I said to him, "So I should do this before Chinese New Year". He answered, "Mr. Hackman, you misunderstand, you need to be on a flight to Beijing tonight or tomorrow morning"

I never made it home. From the clinic I met Tammy and Gabriel at the airport and we caught a 8:00 PM flight to Beijing. The Beijing United Family Hospital is a top hospital in Beijing offering high quality United States level of care (at United States prices...in fact I wouldn't even put on the pajamas until I knew for certain our insurance was covering it)

The tests showed I had a single blockage and for this procedure I would be sent to a local hospital that specialized in angioplasty. They bundled me up and sent me by ambulance. The local hospital lacked some of the frills that we in the West are used to. Chipped paint and plaster dotted the halls and ceiling, dim lights lit all but the operating room, waiting family members sat on rickety chairs outside the surgery area in a cold narrow hall. I sat and waited for the guy's procedure in front of me to be finished.

I had been told that I would not "be out" but that would be given sedatives and something for the pain...NOT! They probably gave me something going into my artery (which they do through the inner thigh) but it wore off because about 45 minutes later when it was over the doctor said, "Now you will feel some pain but DON'T move your leg."

My leg exploded!!!

Or seemed to. As they stapled my artery shut a wave of heat rushed through me and I broke out in a sweat. I looked around at all the nurses and staff and told myself I was not going to cry out. 5 seconds...10 seconds...

I screamed out!

15 seconds...20 seconds

While I was on the table in that moment I realized the notion of long term resistance to torture was useless. Looking around the room for a split second I felt like I was in the Hanoi Hilton and I would tell them anything they wanted to know...if they would just stop the pain.

40 seconds...45 seconds...

And then it was over. The pain started to subside and the next thing I knew I was being transported back to Beijing United with the state of the art room and first class nursing care.

Anyhow, I'm back in Qingdao and all subsequent tests seem to say they heart is good and I'll be back to 100% in no time. God has been faithful yet again and I do appreciate all your prayers.

Now if you excuse me...Tammy is bringing me some carrot sticks :)

Christmas in Hong Kong Pt. 1

For the last three years working at Barnes & Noble I usually had to work on Christmas Eve, have Christmas Day off, but then have to be at work at 6:00 AM the day after Christmas to facilitate a special breakfast for the employees. Now, as a teacher, I had from Dec 20 - January 5th off. WOW!!

Although we wanted to head back to the States for the holiday, we decided it was more fiscally responsible to spend the time in our adopted home of Hong Kong...and from the moment our plane touched down in the territory, we felt like we were home. Many of you have heard us talk of how we missed Hong Kong over the years. Tammy and I met there, fell in love there, our son was born there, and we spent the formative years of our married life there. Yep, its safe to say we had big smiles on our faces.

And as much as we have enjoyed being in China and count it a blessing to us, we were quite happy to take a break from it for a couple weeks. Standing in the taxi queue at the airport Tammy beamed at me and motioned around us, "Can you feel it?" I looked at her a little puzzled. "It's order " she exclaimed (Order being sometimes a bit of a challenge on the Mainland)

We stayed the first couple nights at the Salsbury hotel near the waterfront. Because of some visa issues for the new teachers, the school had to pay for all the teachers to leave China and then re-enter the country. Because of this, the school informed us they would reemberse us for our airfare as they had to send us to Hong Kong anyhow, and then paid for two nights hotel. Can I hear an AMEN??!! Hallelujah!

Staying those first couple days downtown was a blessing. Right near the hotel was the Ocean Terminal mall that has the largest Toys R Us in Hong Kong. Those of you that know Gabriel know that he LOVES Star Wars. However, Qingdao has a distinct lack of quality toys, especially Star Wars, so our first night in Hong Kong was spent mainly in Toys R Us watching Gabriel run to all the Star Wars toys like he was celebrating a family reunion.

After the first couple days, we moved into a friend's apartment in the Park Island area of Hong Kong which is a new self contained residential area. It was pretty posh and Gabriel said the whole time, "When we move back to Hong Kong, this is where I want to live!"

Anyhow, I realize I want to write a lot more about our trip to Hong Kong so I'll leave this as the end of part 1

Santa: It's a Kind of Magic!

Sorry, for the delay in posts but I just returned from Christmas holiday in Hong Kong.

And what was special about this Christmas? Well, it's the last Christmas (most likely) that my 10 year old son Gabriel (Who just turned 11 this week) will be looking to Santa Claus to bring his presents.

Granted, he has had his doubts the last year or so. But something magic happens at Christmas...and he wants to believe. A couple days before Christmas, we went to Disneyland. When Gabriel saw the Santa Claus there and the long line of children waiting to sit on his lap, he said, "Papa, that's not the real Santa Claus." I thought, "Wow, he really does believe."

On Christmas Eve Tammy and I were with a group of friends enjoying a wonderful dinner party with good wine and good conversation. About 11:30 PM my son came up and tugged on my sleeve, "Papa, we need to get home or Santa is not going to come to our house." I told him he was right and we soon made our way by cab across Hong Kong to our lodging. Gabriel kept looking out at the Hong Kong skyline (which is one of the most beautiful in the world) looking to see if Santa's sleigh filled the moon light.


We were staying at a friend's apartment while they were away in South Africa and Tammy had arranged a small Christmas tree on the kitchen table along with some stockings and decorations. The cab arrived at the apartment complex and I hurredly paid the driver and rushed with Tammy and Gabriel to get to our temporary home before Santa did. (It's so cool that Santa always knows where we are).

Gabriel had been sleeping on the couch but tonight we insisted that he sleep with us in our bedroom as he couldn't be out in the living room when Santa came.
I watched Gabriel carefully prepare the plate of cookies and milk for Santa not forgetting a carrot for Rudolf.

And then it hit me...

This would be the last Christmas my son would go to sleep knowing Santa Claus was on his way. Yes, he was 10 years old and had begun to question the notion...but tonight was Christmas Eve...and at 10 years old there was just a little magic still left in the air...and because of that, tonight, for one last time

... Santa Claus was coming to town!!