My last week in Hong Kong was marked by a variety of adventures. Most notably, I picked up my two custom tailored suits (:-)!) and wore one to the Nutcracker which we saw on the 19th. It was beautiful! Afterward we went out to some bars. Some people in our group visited a Russian Ice Bar which had big fur coats that you wore when you were inside because it was so cold! Over the weekend on Saturday we had a "free day" because nobody had any money left so we visited some free temples and saw the botanical gardens. On Sunday Danny, Sara D., and I visited Disneyland Hong Kong. It was sooo much fun! It was the perfect end to a month stay in HK, and even though it was expensive I am so glad that I did it.
The last week was also spent going to horse races on Wednesday and a final trip to a favorite Sushi bar I found. By the end of my time in HK I was truly starting to feel like I knew my way around the city fairly well (at least parts of it) and had seen everything that I wanted to really see (even though there was plenty more I could have seen!). This was the first place that I truly felt at home and was very sad to leave. I didn't particularly care for my time in India (except seeing my cousins in Delhi!) and although I enjoyed Cairo a lot I was ready to leave -- but I was not ready to leave HK...
After a quick flight to Shanghai, we experienced our first (relatively) cold weather (about 45 degrees here, compared to 70s and 80s in HK). After a trip to a market I picked up a knock off North Face jacket and gloves for about US $20. I also bought a perfectly authentic Adrian Peterson jersey for about US $35! Crazy! Last night we had a special Christmas Eve dinner and service, and this morning exchanged Secret Santa gifts. Tonight we are taking an overnight train to Xi'an, and then will be in Beijing for New Years, and Seoul on Jan 2nd! They are keeping us busy over the holidays which is nice because it keeps my mind off family.
Missing all of you very much, and wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God Bless, and take care everyone!
- CM
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Birthday Wishes
Also a shout out to my sister Shannon -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YEA FOR TURNING 19!
And also to Amy -- 21! You're legal!!!! Congrats on having the last birthday of your life that actually means something!! ((Until you're 55 and get an AARP card!))
And also to Amy -- 21! You're legal!!!! Congrats on having the last birthday of your life that actually means something!! ((Until you're 55 and get an AARP card!))
Temples, Temples, Temples, and Hong Kong Hospitality
It has been an eventful week. We visited numerous Buddhist temples and saw a wide vareity of architecture, designs, and painting. Many also had beautiful Chinese gardens (gardens here are considered art themselves, allowing one to get more in touch with nature - this stems from a Daoist influence). We were in an unfamiliar part of town called Tsuen Wan, and were confused how to get from temple to temple, or "Temple-Hopping" as we have dubbed it. But no worries, the only hard part was finding someone who spoke English and then they were MORE than willing to help us - one guy even offered to drive us to the next temple himself! It was very refreshing and really felt nice. Hong Kong is starting to feel like home, similar to how I felt in Cairo after three weeks - it's a bummer that as soon as I begin to feel comfortable in a new city it's time to move. But I'm also glad because I'm seeing so many new and unique places!
We also visited the nearby Lamma Island and went for a beautiful hike, though no where near as strenuous as Lantau Peak (943 m, second tallest in HK) which we did last weekend. I also have two custom tailored suits which I'm estatic about, including my name in gold stitching on the inside!! (They are very inexpensive here!) Kind of ridiculous. Since that was my Christmas present, Thanks Mom and Dad!! I have also been going through some of the night markets and finding cool souveniers to bring home.
Before I leave I want to go to a seafood bazaar and see a temple with 10,000 Buddhas! We are also going to the Nutcracker on Friday night which I'm really excited for.
That's all for now. Take care and God Bless!
- CM
We also visited the nearby Lamma Island and went for a beautiful hike, though no where near as strenuous as Lantau Peak (943 m, second tallest in HK) which we did last weekend. I also have two custom tailored suits which I'm estatic about, including my name in gold stitching on the inside!! (They are very inexpensive here!) Kind of ridiculous. Since that was my Christmas present, Thanks Mom and Dad!! I have also been going through some of the night markets and finding cool souveniers to bring home.
Before I leave I want to go to a seafood bazaar and see a temple with 10,000 Buddhas! We are also going to the Nutcracker on Friday night which I'm really excited for.
That's all for now. Take care and God Bless!
- CM
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Big Buddah
Just a quick update on my latest adventures:
This past weekend on Saturday we (Marija, Hayley, and I) visited the Tai O Fishing Village which was really fun; there were many houses built on stilts and we tried some dried shrimp and other fish - all very nasty and I feel no need to ever try it again :-). Yesterday (Sunday) a bunch of us climbed the second tallest peak in Hong Kong which overlooked the South China Sea to the East, and the Hong Kong airport to the West. The views were absolutely magnificent! We also saw the largest Buddah in the world (ginormous).
This week I plan on visiting the Space Museum, Victoria's peak, various markets, and some temples. And then Macau on Saturday! So excited. I cannot believe we are leaving two weeks from today -- I refuse to acknowledge this fact!
With two months left I am thinking more and more about home and friends and family. I am missing everyone so much, but also know that after a week at home I will want to be right back here so I am trying desperately to keep everything in perspective. Pray for me. Take care and God Bless.
- CM
This past weekend on Saturday we (Marija, Hayley, and I) visited the Tai O Fishing Village which was really fun; there were many houses built on stilts and we tried some dried shrimp and other fish - all very nasty and I feel no need to ever try it again :-). Yesterday (Sunday) a bunch of us climbed the second tallest peak in Hong Kong which overlooked the South China Sea to the East, and the Hong Kong airport to the West. The views were absolutely magnificent! We also saw the largest Buddah in the world (ginormous).
This week I plan on visiting the Space Museum, Victoria's peak, various markets, and some temples. And then Macau on Saturday! So excited. I cannot believe we are leaving two weeks from today -- I refuse to acknowledge this fact!
With two months left I am thinking more and more about home and friends and family. I am missing everyone so much, but also know that after a week at home I will want to be right back here so I am trying desperately to keep everything in perspective. Pray for me. Take care and God Bless.
- CM
Monday, December 1, 2008
Mong Kok and Prince Edward
So much has happened in the past week and getting settled. Our course in the "Arts of China" is fully underway - today was a detailed lecture of Jade, tomorrow is Bronze... Not going to lie - this is not really my cup of tea. However, there is a sociology class in South Korea we are taking next which I am very excited for.
This past weekend was very, very busy. On Saturday we traveled by subway to "Ocean Park" which is a zoo/aquarium/amusement park with roller coasters (including one with three inversions). After that we met up with Jessica and Matt (Jessica is Gavin's - a guy on the trip - sister's friend from Global '04 when she did it) and they showed us around downtown Hong Kong. We began by traveling along the longest strand of continuous escaltors and moving walkwaks in the world, my estimate was at least one mile long...unfortunately, we then had to walk all the way back down which the group failed to mention to me. Afterwards, we ate at this really good family style chinese restaurant and then visited Temple Street, a very popular night time market. It was a 14 hour very long, VERY LONG, day -- but so much fun.
Sunday Hayley and I traveled downtown again to visit the "Jade Market" and "Jade Street"; the market is full of hawkers selling cheap (and fake) jade, which makes for cool souveiners. However, I did by a beautiful piece from "Jade Street" with vendors who guarentee authenticity (which the price does as well). Afterwards we visited the Hong Kong Science Museum (small compared Minnesota's in St. Paul) but still very cool. Museums are free on Wednesdays, so I think we will wait to visit the History and Heritage Museums until next week. Tomorrow our class is taking a "field trip" of sorts to the Hong Kong Art Museum. After the museum, we went to a GREAT sushi bar and I tried jelly fish and anago for the first time (I missed on the squid and octopus as I've already tried those and know I don't like them). I learned that althought I dislike cooked tuna, I love raw tuna. We also had salmon, shrimp, and california rolls. Afterwards we visited the fish market and both bought tiny turtles (HK $10 about US$1 - so cheap) for our rooms...we figure we'll give them away to somebody in three weeks when we leave. We named them "Mong Kok" and "Prince Edward" because those are the subway stops the fish market is located between.
With class for only two hours a day it allows us to have a lot of time to goof off and go visit sites around the town. I'm very excited to visit a popular traditional villiage on one of the nearby islands, as well as take a day trip to Macau, which is a Portuguese colony located very close to Hong Kong. Hong Kong also has beautiful hiking I'm looking forward to taking advantage of.
- CM
This past weekend was very, very busy. On Saturday we traveled by subway to "Ocean Park" which is a zoo/aquarium/amusement park with roller coasters (including one with three inversions). After that we met up with Jessica and Matt (Jessica is Gavin's - a guy on the trip - sister's friend from Global '04 when she did it) and they showed us around downtown Hong Kong. We began by traveling along the longest strand of continuous escaltors and moving walkwaks in the world, my estimate was at least one mile long...unfortunately, we then had to walk all the way back down which the group failed to mention to me. Afterwards, we ate at this really good family style chinese restaurant and then visited Temple Street, a very popular night time market. It was a 14 hour very long, VERY LONG, day -- but so much fun.
Sunday Hayley and I traveled downtown again to visit the "Jade Market" and "Jade Street"; the market is full of hawkers selling cheap (and fake) jade, which makes for cool souveiners. However, I did by a beautiful piece from "Jade Street" with vendors who guarentee authenticity (which the price does as well). Afterwards we visited the Hong Kong Science Museum (small compared Minnesota's in St. Paul) but still very cool. Museums are free on Wednesdays, so I think we will wait to visit the History and Heritage Museums until next week. Tomorrow our class is taking a "field trip" of sorts to the Hong Kong Art Museum. After the museum, we went to a GREAT sushi bar and I tried jelly fish and anago for the first time (I missed on the squid and octopus as I've already tried those and know I don't like them). I learned that althought I dislike cooked tuna, I love raw tuna. We also had salmon, shrimp, and california rolls. Afterwards we visited the fish market and both bought tiny turtles (HK $10 about US$1 - so cheap) for our rooms...we figure we'll give them away to somebody in three weeks when we leave. We named them "Mong Kok" and "Prince Edward" because those are the subway stops the fish market is located between.
With class for only two hours a day it allows us to have a lot of time to goof off and go visit sites around the town. I'm very excited to visit a popular traditional villiage on one of the nearby islands, as well as take a day trip to Macau, which is a Portuguese colony located very close to Hong Kong. Hong Kong also has beautiful hiking I'm looking forward to taking advantage of.
- CM
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