MiddleEarth
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I do have a ring I wear around my neck, but as of yet I haven’t been able to elicit any magical powers from it. And it certainly isn’t the focus and burden of our journey, as is the ring in the epic tale by Tolkein about a misfit band of travelers crossing vast terrain full of dangers.
But, we are five travelers and we are journeying across distant lands far from home in a place called “ZhongGuo” (which is the Madarin form of China which could actually be translated, “middle earth”). And, like the band in the Lord of the Rings we grow weary from time to time…
And so for the last week we have found ourselves in Rivendell. In this Rivendell instead of elves we have retired priests, and we’re not deep in ancient woods, but rather high on a hill. We have spent the last week at a place called Maryknoll on Hong Kong island. Here we have had all the luxuries of rest and relaxation and plenty of food that the hospitality of friends has to offer. In the morning our balcony is flooded with light as we gaze out over the lush treetops to the vast expanse of the ocean stretching out around the cove… During our feasts of pork chops, or potatoes, or hamburgers, or stir fry, or cold cereal!, our kind cooks will come in asking, “Do you have enough?” Here it is peaceful and we have plenty. We are blessed!
The generosity we have received from good-hearted people has been humbling, and our time here in Hong Kong has been full of undeserved kindnesses. The cooks let Jim have his way with the kitchen and we ended up with homemade bread, fresh chocolate chip cookies, and peanutbutter and chocolate fudge. The Hong Kong chapter of the SJU alumni had us out to dinner at the Royal Yacht Club and treated us to a memorable evening of banter and discussion, as well as a great view of the city at night. Brother Sebastian gave us a personal tour of his drawing studio (where he writes and illustrates comic books that highlight social issues and offer positive responses). Later he took us out to Ruby Tuesdays where we took advantage of his half-off membership card to remember Western burgers and enjoy the last crumbs of delicious dessert. In between all of this we managed to get visas for Laos and Vietnam, help decorate for Christmas, interview with a television station, swim in the ocean, attend mass, watch movies, play music, eat food, sleep in, eat more, and generally enjoy ourselves and the view.
Our time at Maryknoll was a much-appreciated period of refreshment during our trek across ”MiddleEarth” towards Europe; it was our Rivendell of rest.
Thank you Maryknoll staff and priests for your generosity and kindness to FueledByRice this past week! You are a blessing — may God bless you in kind.
December 5th, 2007 at 10:50 am
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Drew, this is why I like you. You think in terms of The Lord of the Rings. I think you should have a “pint” on beer at your next stop if possible.
Oh and I was thinking of a couple ideas for the FueledByRice site…I don’t know if they are possible but maybe, just maybe.
1. Have an “Injury Report” with how many broken spokes, flat tires, bent rims, and any other thing that could happen along the way. Maybe like a tally mark system or something.
2. Is there a way to see when the photos albums have been last updated instead of when the album was created? That way we know when new pictures are there to be viewed for our visual pleasure.
That’s all for now. Keep on pedaling hard. Cheers!
December 5th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
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Thanks so much for the update. Now I know why Jimmy hasn’t emailed his mom or called - he’s cooking - just like his dad. Have him make mamma berta cookies for you all too. They will last a long time on the road. Have fun. Give a hug to the brothers and especially Father Sebastian… he always shares his coupons with his visitors… Quite a talented man. take care. love, jim’s mom (the non cooker)
December 6th, 2007 at 5:07 am
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You know what, Drew, this reminds me of what you said in Dazu, my hometown, when we finally got out of the lush countryside. You looked rather out of it and said, “I think i have been spoiled…”
You are blessed! Lord is always there, around you.
Ps, don’t let Cecilia know that you didn’t pronounce Middle earth right, it should be “Zhong Guo” =)
December 6th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
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YAY!!! I’m sOOO happy you all got to eat some fudge!!! I was worried that you all wouldn’t get your fun holiday food this year!!! Yay for fudge!!! I loved the analogies!!
December 7th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
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The magical moment is always breaking into what we think is real; and why not? The magical is more real than we usually imagine.
December 8th, 2007 at 9:57 am
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Very entertaining comparison Drew! I like Dusty’s suggestion too of the injury report.
Continued best wishes on your journey!
September 5th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
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Podolgo vreme One imaat odlichna punoda. Verojatno najdobar odnos kvalitet/cena. Ama ova so cena za vospostavuvanje povik im e najglupo neshto shto go napravile. Sami si se vrakjaat od percepcija na operator koj raboti bez skrieni troshoci (i reklami imaa so koja gi trolaa T-Mobile i Vip) vo standarden operator. Tapa poteg.
October 20th, 2014 at 7:07 am
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I live in the Maldives and although the resorts are beautiful the local islands and the attitudes towards just throwing trash into the ocean are disgusting. I think it is a lack of caring along with a lack of education about the environment.
October 20th, 2014 at 7:09 am
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Take a picture on instagram what does it mean? Can I take a picture with my iphone and just email it to 5 Gyres?