There was never a similar week during my stay in Hong Kong, and this week at the end of March was no exception. The world-renowned Rugby Sevens event came to town, and I say on of Hong Kong’s most colorful, whimsical faces. Spartan warriors and grown men in tutus, anyone? Continue reading
I never before considered tofu could be a dessert. Then I went to China. It boggled my mind what the Chinese can do with rice or tofu when given half a chance. See some of the local delicacies and fun our buddies introduced us to when we went out to dinner with them. Continue reading
With St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaching for this year, it seemed perfectly appropriate that my post from four years ago about St. Patty’s Day should appear now. Did you know that Asia (especially multicultural places like Hong Kong) celebrate it? I didn’t either, but man did it turn out to be fun. Check it out! Continue reading
I thought I would seriously regret turning 21 in a foreign country, but it actually turned out to be one of the most fun birthdays I’ve had. Check out how memorable it was, even 6,500 miles from home. Continue reading
Did you ever think those tales that everything tastes like chicken were false? I did too. Then I had snake soup. Guess what? It’s true! Check out this blog to see snake soup, Chinese Opera and beat boxing all in just one weekend. Continue reading
Shopping in Hong Kong is an experience unlike any other. Shopping like a local in Hong Kong is even more interesting – especially when you’re obviously not a local. Follow along and see what I learned about bartering like an expert.
Fun fact #1: Hong Kong has a serious mold problem. Never read about that in the guidebooks? Me neither.
Fun fact #2: I’m all for security with all the things technology is allowing us to do, but sometimes it goes too far when you’re trying to make reasonable transactions in foreign countries. Read about the troubles and travails of the week. Continue reading
Now to pick up where I left off – Part 2 of our first trip to mainland China: Guangzhou.
March 1, 2010
There was a little drama at the Guangzhou train terminal, because two of our girlfriends, Soohyun and Ilaria, didn’t get off the train at the right stop, luckily, they were able to contact us  even though normal Hong Kong SIM cards don’t work in mainland China, and get back on the returning  train just 20 minutes later. We found our hostel, which was super nice and clean and safe, without much trouble or asking people on the streets, checked in, were directed to yet another cheap and delicious restaurant a 5-minute walk from our accommodations (there was absolutely no English or pictures on that menu, but thankfully Angela and Soo knew enough to order great food for us all). We walked along a street right beside a river running through Guangzhou, which the hostel was situated on before collapsing for the night. Continue reading
I thought I had acclimated to China after almost two months of living in Hong Kong. Boy was I wrong. Once I arrived in Shenzhen, China, the culture shock was back on! Below is Part 1 of my 2 Part post diving into China head on.
March 2nd, 2010
The entrance to Nirvana for just $21 USD for 24 hours.
Though all parts of the same country, Hong Kong has little in common with mainland China. The differences were stark and stunning. After my first visit I could barely express how glad I was to be studying in Hong Kong, China and not mainland China. I thought I had culture shock in Hong Kong; but I was going through a culture earthquake in Shenzhen and Guangzhou! Let me back up though, and start from Friday when we left for the motherland.
Did you ever expect a tropical island in Southeast Asia to get close to freezing? Neither did I. Here’s how I lived through one of the coldest snaps (not happily I might add) that Hong Kong’s seen in recent years.
Vittles and Voyages 