Hong Kong!

Kerry, Emily, and I, the new teachers at Hebei University, were sent to Hong Kong to change our visas to allow us to stay for the spring semester. Our trip had a bumpy beginning: our driver showed up over an hour late only to find out that it had snowed so much the freeway to Beijing was closed and we would have to take a train to the airport. We then found out the next train we could take would leave too late for us to make the flight. By this time, the freeway opened up again so we were driven to Beijing. We missed the flight at 1pm and changed our tickets to leave at 3pm the next day. The school bought us hotel rooms in Beijing so we could be there and get to the airport on time. However, after sleeping and then going to the airport, we found out our flight was cancelled. We were put onto a flight two and a half hours later. To add to this, because we left a day later and couldn't get to a computer, we lost our hostel reservations in Hong Kong. Luckily, when we made it to the famous Chungking Mansions we were able to get an okay room at a relatively good price at midnight our first night. We were left with only two full days in Hong Kong to experience cool weather (instead of Hong Kong's normally warm, sunny weather) which prevented us from seeing the large Buddha that sits on a mountain while we had paid to take a cable car around several mountains leading up to a magnificent view of the Buddha.

Even with all these problems, the three of us had a lot of fun. The cable car was still fun. We shopped at the Temple Street Night Market and we even ate seafood on that street. My dish was called an oyster omelette, but do not worry it did not have eggs with it. It was just fried oysters in a pancake shape. Speaking of food...we found a hamburger place to eat at. I had a mushroom burger which ended up being a huge mushroom in between bread and I LOVED it as I love mushrooms. Eating a real burger (McDonalds does not count!) in China would have to wait until mid-February. I do not know how I lasted that long! The other amazing meal we had in Hong Kong was dim sum. We had some with chicken, and some with pork, and of course some with mushrooms. Other than eating Peking Duck IN Beijing, the dim sum brunch in Hong Kong has been my favorite meal in China.

Other than the Night Market and the cable car, we also walked along the Avenue of the Stars. It is similar to the one on Hollywood but has stars for Asian actors. From this street, we watched the nightly city light show that many buildings on both the mainland and the island participate in. We also made sure to catch a ride on the star ferry after going up to Victoria Peak for a spectacular view of the city. I spent a short time in Hong Kong with traveling problems and unidealistic weather but still left thinking, "I have to come back here!" It could be my favorite city I have visited because it has so much to offer (breathtaking views, shopping, disneyland, a waterpark, amazing food...). I am glad I had to go to Hong Kong to change my visa! Thanks boss.