The Great Firewall

Dearest Rachel –

I think I’ve mentioned a couple of times about how, over the last couple of days, I haven’t been able to do all the work that I’d like to, or need to, because of limited Internet access.  To be sure, “like” is a strong word for it, as I’m more than happy to set it aside for the sake of the vacation, even as I know that it’s something that needs to be done, and sooner rather than later.  And considering that some of it has to do with bills that need paying back at home – or worse, taxes that need to be filed – “need” definitely fits the bill.  The concern of not being able to do these tasks online does get worrisome.

But as we are waking up in Hong Kong, the deities of the Internet have decided to give me a wake up call a different sort: “oh, so you think things are bad with limited Internet? Let’s see how you deal with no Internet at all!”

Welcome to the great firewall of China; and apparently, it starts here in Hong Kong.

Now, I realize the incongruity of complaining about Internet connectivity in a letter to you; the very fact that you can read this suggests that the problem has essentially resolved itself, and there’s no need for me to be complaining. However, as I’m writing – or rather, dictating – this, I have no idea when that moment will come. I also don’t know what’s causing this. It may simply be because it’s a very foggy morning here in Hong Kong, and the system aboard ship simply can’t pick up the feed from the Starlink satellites, and as the sun comes out and burns off the fog, things will pick right back up where we left off (although I don’t know if I’ll be able to pay bills or access my tax documents yet). But the location and the timing are too good (or suspicious) to be coincidences, and as always, one is left to speculate, especially given the reputation of our current destination (or, more to the point, who and what our destination belongs to; I may have to be circumspect with regard to spelling the matter out, but I’m sure you can connect the dots).

I would prefer to be wrong, of course; if nothing else, to have myself break this skein of writing to you simply due to a lack of connectivity is rather irritating (although in fairness, a lack of connectivity is, in itself, rather irritating to begin with; the more I think about it, the more I’m forced to conclude that I’m among those who could be considered to be terminally online – pun intended).  At the same time, to know it’s due to circumstances beyond my control does serve as a form of absolution; there’s comfort in knowing I can’t be blamed for something I have no power over.  

And when it comes down to that, I suppose I can always backdate these letters as I get them put together for when things finally do open up.  Were it not for my kvetching about the situation, you wouldn’t be aware that anything untoward was going on at all.  Then again, without it, this letter wouldn’t even be written in the first place.  Granted, there will likely be plenty more material for me to relate to you before then – which will probably require a separate letter or two – so take that how you will.

For now, though, our number is about to be called for going ashore and wandering about the city – which by definition leaves me untethered to the internet in any event, which somehow I manage to find perfectly tolerable; go figure. But that aside, it’s also a source for more to tell you about that I probably should include in a separate letter, so I might as well close this one for now, and let you know I’ll fill you in on the day’s events when I get the chance – to say nothing of the internet.

In any event, keep an eye on me, honey, and wish me luck (and maybe a bit of patience?). I’m going to need it.