Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 186

As the four stepped out of the airport, they all simultaneously and deeply inhaled. There was
something in the air that ignited their exhilaration, and they finally all seemed like they were happy to be
where they are now – the starting point of their long, long journey.
“So, what we do, is that we would first take a bus from here to the Big Wild Goose Padoga. And
then, have dinner, then maybe take a stroll around the place, and then we reside at a motel.” Bette said, all
the while walking and reading a map from her phone. Sally quietly asked, “Anyone need mosquito
repellent…How about hats, I have extra ones if anyone forgot to bring them. You know that hats are
especially important in hot places like these…” She kept blabbing, and from time to time, Jake, Matt and
Bette took some repellents, sunscreen or sunglasses from Sandy.
In the blink of an eye, the bus came to a full stop. And right next to the four, was the Big Wild Goose
Padoga. In their hearts, there was a strong emotion of happiness that flooded. This was where everything all
started, and where everything all ended. This was where Xuanzang himself started his conquest, and stored
all the scriptures and artifacts he found. It was probably the immense height of the building, how surprisingly
modest and plain the pagoda looked like, or just how much history this seven-story building retains, that
gave the four an instant attraction to it.
Seeing the pagoda clearly for the first time, there was an urge in the four’s hearts to take out their
phones and take tens of hundreds of pictures of the legendary pagoda. Yes, that was what everyone visiting
the place did. However, the four of them all knew that this place was such a sacred place to them, that the
pagoda held such a special position in their hearts, that it was better if they experienced it through the lens
of their eyes, not the lens of the camera.
Walking around the pagoda, all four of them stopped talking, and kept their eyes on the pagoda.
Peeking into the interior of the building, they all seemed to be quite in awe, for they were experiencing
their childhood dreams and fantasies. They continued walking for an hour, and soon enough they found
themselves walking in circles around the building. When they arrived, the sun was still high up in the air,
but after time, the sun started to set. But still, they just could not leave. “Not everyone gets to come here,
you know.” Bette told the rest of the gang, “Let’s leave some good memories here.” She took out a camera,
and took one polaroid picture of the Big Wild Goose Padoga, set against the setting sun. The exuberant
orange of the setting sun added sentimentality and magnificence to the pagoda. It was something that neither
of them was going to forget.
**
The following day, the four took a plane to Dunhuang. Seeing the success of their adventure so far,
Jake just could not help but merrily say, “This is going great!” He smiled and stared at his best friends with
such compassion. He knew that these people were those that were going to be with him for the rest of his
lives, and he was more than happy about that. The rest of the four also knew that, and they too thought if
they had to be best buddies with someone, it would be who they are with right now.
It was quite a long ride to the Mogao caves in Dunhuang. These caves were not something initially
planned in their itinerary, but the fame that the spot has attracted Bette to put this place into their schedule.
Between the bus and the cave was a long walk, which the four had to pass through, while carrying
their backpacks, which got heavier with extra souvenirs and food. After every minute, Matt had to stop for a
little rest, saying “I can’t do this” every time. Nonetheless, they all successfully arrived at the entrance of the
Mogao caves. By the time they arrived, the four were all soaking in sweat, and unsurprisingly, Sandy handed
out the tissues and towels to her fellow partners.
Once again, the four were in complete shock as they saw the exterior of the cave. But this time, it was
different from the kind of awe they had for the pagoda. Unlike the pagoda, there was no sense of nostalgia,
there was the pure feeling of awe towards the epic scale of the temple and caves.
What surprised the four even more were the paintings within the cave. Colours filled the walls of the
cave, and the wall paintings, textiles, sculptures and scriptures all opened a whole new world for the four of
them. It seemed like the intelligence and creativity of the generations before them resulted in such
masterpieces that could hardly be compared and replicated till this day.
Closely examining the walls, Bette noticed the brightness of the colours. In her imagination, with the
passage of time, any painting that is as exposed as these would fade in colour. What she witnessed was
contrary to her expectations, and that made her experience all the more special. She told Matt, “The colour
never seems to fade, does it? How could this have happened?” Matt, as well as her friends who overheard
her question, were all surprised by it.