another "oh, wow" kind of day

When we first arrived in Hong Kong, we found ourselves with jaws slacked half open, eyes wide and saying, "oh, wow" every few minutes, to the point of rediculousness. Today was also a new experience and another "oh, wow" kind of day.

Today was the beginning of a 4 day weekend, because it is National Day here. I guess this means that people get off of work and get and give mooncakes. Today, I went up to China with friends Christine and Sara, because we had just gotten our China visas. I didn't realize that Hong Kong was considered so separate from China (officially, it's a democratic republic of China), and visiting requires a special visa, which is a semi-expensive and complicated process.

Only a 30 minute trip from home, we got on the train, crossed the border, and were right in Shenzen, which is known for its cheap massages and shopping. Someone recommended a high-class spa for us, and I was a bit doubtful of its quality until we were greeted by a team of white and shiny dressed employees. I have never gotten a manicure, pedicure, or massage before, but I signed up for all three when I realized how cheap they were. We were completely pampered and taken care of all day...fresh fruit and drinks were complimentary. Between treatments, there was a dimly lit room with rows upon rows of leather recliners with personal TV's. We were directed to sit and relax before our massage, and were brought food and drinks. The one English speaker who worked at the spa followed us around all day, making sure that we found our way to the pool (there were 7), steam room, game room, massage tables, and fruit bar. Just about the only thing we didn't have to do for ourselves was walk. Apparently, this was the highest quality spa in the city.

I felt a bit selfish and guilty to have all of this catering and royal treatment, especially the deal of about 50$ (including meals, snacks, tips, a 90 minute oil massage, pedicure, manicure, everything), so I'm still thinking about the moral responsibilities of experiencing such a day, but my muscles sure are relaxed and my feet smell and look good right now.

burgers and pizza

This Saturday I attempted some more bargain shopping in MongKok. This is the most densely populated area of Hong Kong. In fact, someone told me that if everyone who lived there would step out of their buildings at the same time, there wouldn't be even nearly enough room for everyone to stand on the streets. I could sense the bustle and hustle as people bumped into each other, shoving and pushing and trying to get from one bargain to the next.

I did come out pretty well and am getting better at bartering. I guess the key is to start bargaining at a 1/4 of the price that is listed and to work your way up to about 1/2 of the listed price. Christmas shopping will be fun this year.

This weekend also consisted of eating at and discovering Western restaurants and taking the ferry back and forth. I was trying to come up with a list of all of the American food chains that I've seen here, and this is what I came up with: McDonalds (EVERYWHERE), KFC, Pizza Hut, TGI Fridays, Outback Steakhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, Starbucks (of course), Subway, Haagen Daaz, and I'm sure there's a Hard Rock Cafe somewhere. I also pass four 7-11's on my way to work, and it's pretty likely that if you walk around for a day, you'll run into one about every 3 minutes. Supposedly, there's a Taco Bell not far away, too, which is on next weekend's agenda.

chocolate cheese

Last night, I went to a Progressive Dinner that one of the new teachers organized so that the group of us could see each other's new flats. We spent 7 hours traveling by bus, train, and foot to eat from place to place. It reminded me of how big Hong Kong is, and was amazed that we could travel so much and so far even in one specific part of Hong Kong..the New Territories. Most houses were decked out with Ikea products, and our New Zealand friends served chocolate cheese, which is apparently popular among the Kiwis (as we so affectionately call them). It's pretty much what it sounds like...I can't decide if I liked it or not.

big slug/snail thing

It's been raining for most of the week, and today this thing was right outside my building. It was some sort of snail/slug thing that was bigger than my fist. I was pretty impressed.

and more pictures

view from the beach





















doesn't seem like anyone owns a car in macau
















the macau tower, where people jumped off














view from macau...a foggy, rainy day

pictures, too...

This is one of many of the ancient ruins in Macau.

















riding the rickshaw back to the ferry. we looked pretty rediculous
















"Fernandoes"...a Portuguese restaurant in the middle of nowhere

weekend in macau

Yesterday I got my passport stamped for the first time since arriving here. I went to Macau, an island nearby that was about an hour ferry ride on the "Turbo Ferry". Macau is a Portguese colony, so there's an interesting mix of European influence and Asian culture. I expected it to look a bit more European than it actually did, but there was evidences of Portugal in the architecture, written language (on streets, etc), old church ruins, and on the restaurant menus.

Our school had a fund-raiser for people to get sponsorships to jump off the Macau tower, so I decided to volunteer. (Not to jump, but to hold a walkie talkie and to tell the people up on top that the jumpers had landed safely on the ground.) Although it was no bake sale, the school raised quite a bit of money, and even got a local celebrity to come and jump as well, surrounded by cameramen.

After the Sky Jump, I went venturing out with a couple of friends. Macau wasn't quite as easy to navigate as Hong Kong, but we somehow got on the right bus and ended up in the center of town, where some of the older churches, cathedrals, temples, and old forts are located. The rain inspired us to take a taxi to a different island, where we had heard of a great Portuguese restaurant. We arrived in the small, sleepy fishing village and walked around on the beach. It was refreshing to be outside with some comfortable temperatures and to not be inhaling pollution or to be bumping into people left and right. I think I didn't realize how much I missed the outdoors until I was able to take a break from the city life of Hong Kong. We stumbled across a Rugby tournament and beach party, tucked away on a side beach. It was pretty funny to hear Bob Marley being played on a radio, watching British and Australian men tackle eachother in the sand, and to have Chinese people barbequing all over the beach.

The restaurant, Fernandos, was delicious, with vegetables, rice and chorizo, and beer that was cheaper than water.

After quite a bit of confusion (not too many English speakers on that part of the island), we figured out which bus would take us to the main part of Macau, which was quite similar to Vegas. Macau seems to be quite divided into a few diverse areas, but it is well known for it's casinos and nightlife, which is supposed to be reflective of it's pirate history. Every Saturday night in the fall, there is a fireworks display, which is part of a national fireworks competition tournament. After the show, we took a rickshaw back to the ferry depot and made our way back "home" to Hong Kong.

weekend in soho and central

This weekend I went out downtown Central Hong Kong. A friend here is in a local band, and there was a concert showcasing three very different bands. The one above was an all-girl cowboy rock band. You can barely see their costumes and wigs here, but they definitely added to the appeal of the show.

We went out for dinner first to a Mexican restaurant, which is next to the longest outdoor escalator in the world. It's not the best picture, but try to imagine this going on for blocks upon blocks, up the hills of Hong Kong island.



This is a picture of one of the funniest things I've seen in Hong Kong yet. On the way between dinner and the concert, we went to check out a Russian restaurant/bar. Inside, there's a freezer, and they give you fur coats to wear, with a Russian/Chinese band roaming around. There's always something interesting to see in this city.