Well OK, not the whole world. But a nice chunk of it.
One of Jackie’s wishes that he’s talked about many times is that everyone in the world will get along and there will be no more anger and fighting amongst different countries and cultures. I think he should be proud of himself that for two days, he brought people together from all over the world and everyone seemed to feel like they were part of one united world. That certainly is the feeling I had during my time in Hong Kong.
Meeting online friends for the first time- Kitty, Daniela, Dagmar, Jutta, me (and Martin)
I have to admit, my main purpose of attending the Friendship Tour was not to see Jackie. Months before the Tour was announced, I was attempting to put a trip to Hong Kong together to see a friend who lives there. So when the Tour was announced, I pushed my plans up. Yes, I was definitely thrilled to be going to the Tour events and thrilled with the idea of seeing Jackie! But, there was yet another reason I was excited to go to Hong Kong. Not only would I see my friend, I would be able to meet people from all over the world that I had known only online through jackiechan.com. How exciting is that!
Two of the people who helped bring us together- Fibe and Kath.
The moment I stepped foot in Hong Kong, my dreams of meeting international friends started to come true. I was surprised by two Jackie fans as I walked into my hotel! Each from different parts of the world. The following day, I met two more fans from yet another part of the world. The day after that I met another and another! This continued right through the events. It was amazing. Simply amazing.
Friends from around the world look at the tiles from around the world.
I was fortunate enough to spend time with some of the other fans outside of the Tour events. It was fascinating to get to know them better and hear about their lives in their separate countries. What made it even more fun was that none of us were Hong Kong natives. So not only were we learning about each other, we were experiencing Hong Kong together as well. Hong Kong and Jackie were the common bonds between us all.
Friends from far away soon become close friends.
Funny thing is, even though none of us were Hong Kong natives, I felt very much at home with all my new friends. I immediately felt like all these people from all over the world, who came together and met in a far off place, were like family members coming home for a family event. It was amazing. Simply amazing.
South Africa, Germany, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Wisconsin and Rhode Island together in Hong Kong - Haarsha, Heidi, Judy, Kath, Lisa, Mary
Yes, I had a wonderful time at the Jackie events. I hope to share some of those times with you. I wish everyone could have experienced the generosity, warmth and friendliness each and every member of the JC Group showered us with. But the best part of the Tour was meeting new friends from all over the world and the instant feeling of family. For that I will be forever grateful to Jackie and everyone at the JC Group who made this event possible. My one wish is that even more fans from around the world can attend the next Global Friendship Tour.
Lisa Schwark
Wisconsin, USA
Together for the first time and definitely not the last - Mary, Haarsha, me.
A family gathering in the "back yard."
The head of the family - the guy who brought us all together.
Dai Goh = Big Brother
Friends who climb 260 stairs together, stay together.