First of my Pictures

In case you didn't see, there is a link to the first of my pictures further down this blog on the left. They are in the form of a Flickr slideshow. Enjoy.

Day 3 - Hong Kong

FYI, I will not post something everyday (especially once I start work) After saying that, I went to get my HK ID card today and then to the bank. (which did not have my cards ready to pick up as they were supposed to) Jack and I went up the mid-levels escalators which is a long, interconnected series of escalators and conveyor belts. (the ones that are not in the form of stairs) This may not seem impressive to you, but we are talking about a distance of about 16 streets that this crosses. Something like the distance from the Brewery District to the Arena District in Columbus. (all up a steep hill side)

On the way back down, we stopped at Subway; where I ordered a coke for my drink. Upon filling up the cup with coke from the fountain machine, I noticed that there were tons of bugs floating on top and stuck around the inside of the rim. I told the woman working the counter and she just said, oh, no problem, take another cup. Well, I second guessed myself as to whether the bugs were in the cup beforehand, or if they had come out of the fountain station faucet. Needless-to-say, I drank bottled water for the rest of the day.

I met with my Realtor today as well, and I have found a place to live. It is pretty close to the building I will be working in, however, it is not close to much else. (hopefully I will be able to find my way the 6 subway stops from the Central district to my new apartment when I am wasted) I will move in on October 20th.

(Pictures of the Central District and the Mid-Level Escalators to follow as I have run out of download space on Flickr) P.S. The Central District is really nice and I now have a better appreciation for the Island, rather than the initial idea that it was all old and dirty.

Last Stop... Hong Kong

So, I arrived in Hong Kong yesterday after flying over the North Pole. I did see Santa from the airplane window and I would like to point out that the hand gesture he gave me was completely uncalled for. (Even though I did moon Dasher; Chris Peters would be proud but the couple sitting next to me were unamused) I got to Hong Kong and Jack's brother met us at the airport. We took a cab and checked into our Corporate housing. I now know what it is like to be a Keebler elf living in a thousand year old tree. (yea, the apartment is small and the buildings are old; basically like a Comfort Inn hotel room)

I am pretty sure that Jack's brother doesn't like me as I am a white American. He will only speak in Cantonese to Jack even though he knows English. (and I dont think he has said more than one word to me) They went to dinner last night and Jack apologized for not being able to invite me but said that his brother's friends would be there and they dont really get along with Americans. I am getting tired of always being the victim of racism. (it sucks being a middle class white American male)

Well, you will be able to see by my pictures that the 7 Elevens here are like Starbucks back home. So, my first impression of Hong Kong is crowded, old, somewhat dirty looking, people not as friendly, and there are many people who do not speak english. No one speaks English in preference to Cantonese, even though most everyone knows it. They will only speak it to the foreigners like myself. (and even then it is difficult for us to understand eachother)

Biking in Hong Kong

So I thought about getting a bike and taking it to Hong Kong; as I wont' be able to drive for a year and a half. But I got scared and decided not to. Yes scared. Bicycling is dangerous! If you dont think so, then you obviously haven't heard of the "Left Turn incident of 1979". In 1979 a cyclist was riding down the street. He stopped at a red light and stuck his arm straight out to the right side. (the universal sign of making a left turn) At the same time, the light turned green and a speeding motorist drove past on the right side of the man, taking his entire right arm with him. This story has given me nightmares since I was 4 yrs old. Because of it, I have never made a left turn on my bike. Recently I have come to appreciate my right arm even more as it has proven itself capable of beating Jimmy Bowes in an arm wrestling match. And thus, I have given up on biking in Hong Kong... and perhaps ever again.