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Really it comes down to Kevin Clancy.  I mean, we could assign blame all over the place, but I think it would be best to light the burner under Kevin, and of course Kaishan.

  You see, we were doing just fine, sweaty and dirty, rolling into slimey places we loved because they were cheap (never mind that we shared sheets with the last who knows how many visitors, or the occasional worms under the mattress covering a hodge-podge of broken boards strategically placed to make a bed.  Never mind that.  Right?)  We were on a roll and getting used to dirty bathrooms where one showers above the squat toilet, which serves as a drain or walls that may have been white at one time now a comforting grimey brown.  All of that was becoming a very normal part of our daily lives; but little did we know, we were headed for a big-time change… (okay, so we had an idea, but indulge me here).

Kevin and Kaishan messed up our world by a simple invitation.  It was innocent enough, and quite nonchalante — something like: “We look forward to seeing you all at the wedding in GuangZhou and we’ve got you a couple rooms for the days you are there.” 

We tried to protest.  “Kevin, we can find our own accommodations.”  But no, Kevin and Kaishan had to insist that we stay in one of the fanciest hotels by the waterfront in GuangZhou for not one, but two nights.  And, I might add, for free.  Well, if there’s one thing FueledByRice goes for more than dirty and dirt cheap, it’s free.

We pulled up to the hotel early afternoon, right in front with our bikes–much to the hotel clerks’ collective chagrin (I think they were looking for “Audi” or “Mercedes” on our rides and couldn’t figure out how one drives a two-wheeled contraption in such proximity to this landmark hotel)–and we were giddy with our disbelief and anticipation.  Are we really staying here for two days!! 

In hindsight I recognize these as the beginning symptoms of the rare Chinese Enspoilitus, but we were too dazed to understand the implications…

So, after finding a place for our bicycles, we checked in and marveled at the mirrors, the carpet, the lights, the bathroom, the individually wrapped cups and complimentary toothbrushes, the hot hot shower, the western toilet — you know, the usual marvels of modernity– and prepared to purchase clothes for our participation in the wedding celebration.

Well, by the time the wedding feast came around the next day, we were pretty much a lost case.  We sat under chandeliers, surrounded by opulence, three glasses of different alcohol in front of each one of us (the baijio cup was mercifully small), a Lazy Susanna–that’s a fancy “lazy susan”– full of southern China’s tastiest delights.  We incredulously chatted with our English speaking table mates and sank hopelessly into the atmosphere of celebration as we filled our plates and satiated our appetites.

Speeches and toasts were made, gratitude was extended, and our first official “spoiling session” went off without a hitch.  Kevin and Kaishan managed to make their wedding into everyone else’s event, and the party continued late with live music at an Irish pub. 

  I think it’s still fair to blame Kevin for putting a microphone in Dave Harrison’s hands, so that we ended up being called to the dance floor several times throughout the evening (as well as any other names Dave could remember as he tirelessly and with amazing regularity made sure the dance was “happening” all night).

Well, after such an amazing hotel stay and party, you can imagine how we were losing our ability to think cheap and dirty, which is just like thinking clearly to us.  We were spoiled, thick.  But, as if that wasn’t enough, Kevin — again nonchalantely — mentioned that the Maryknoll retreat house on Hong Kong island overlooking the bay would be ready for us whenever we arrived and that arrangements were made for us to stay as long as we liked, three meals a day, all once again gratuit.  Unbelievable!  And the humility and air of hospitality with which he pulled this off would have sucked us in even if we weren’t already well on our way to being completely spoiled.

I’ve never come off a serious addiction, but I hear it’s bad.  Tonight I’m coming down a bit.  We’re back on the road, in the mainland, booked at a local cheap and dirty place, and I am washing my brain in the glow of a Net Bar computer to the sedative quality of the stale cigarette smoke hung atmosphere. 

Funny thing is, even though we’re getting back to normal cheap and dirty so I can once again think clearly, I’d do it all over again in a blink.  I think that’s one of the dangerous symptoms of being spoiled rotten.  You come back for more. 

Well Kevin and Kaishan, if you read this, beware: we intend to in someway return the favor… it may not be right away, but watch out!  And, thank you.

*Kevin Clancy is the lay coordinator for Maryknoll English teaching in China and just married Kaishan, incidentally one of his students when he was first teaching several years back.  Kaishan and Kevin now live on Lover’s Ave in ZhuHai on the southern coast of the mainland, just married.  I sang with Kevin in the men’s choir at SJU and Peter knew him from his involvement in the Maryknoll teaching program.  It was a pleasure to be part of the wedding and also enjoy Maryknoll’s hospitality.  Thank you Kevin!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 at 7:49 am and is filed under
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