I was planning to get to the airport at about two o’clock for my 4:10 flight. After I spoke to my parents I went and got brunch. It was realllyy expensive, but good. To hydrate for the flight, I bought four drinks from the vending machine outside my room. Plus I drank tons of green tea using the electric water heater provided in my room. I got ready to leave, checked out, and waited for the bus outside of the hotel. While waiting this old man told me I looked exactly like this women named Molly who used to be one of his students. He was a really nice guy and we talked for a while. Once again I was sitting at my gate waiting for my plane at 2:30. It amazes me how easy and quickly it is at Narita airport.
I got a water a settled in to wait for my flight. The lady sitting by me was very sweet and she told me all about her and her husband’s trip in Japan. It was really nice to hear about all of the things they did and taking note. Next time I go to Japan I can go to them too! The plane was huge and a little nicer than the one I took to Japan from the U.S. The man sitting next to me was from Boston and very sweet. He was visiting his sister and her husband in Japan and he was an empty nester. He was taking the opportunity to travel, trying to see all the places he always wanted to. He showed me these Japanese puzzle boxes that were really cool.
I watched Yes Man and was hilarious. Revolutionary road was incredibly sad and High School Musical 3 that was bad (What a surprise). The flight was only eight hours and we arrived forty minutes early. It didn’t take to long to get my luggage and go through customs and I only waited for my dad for about ten minutes. It was so nice seeing him and we went to Bhutan exhibit at the Asian Art Museum. I was half asleep and didn’t retain very much of the information, but it was still fun. Then we went to the Ferry Building and got French bread and lunch. As hard as I tried I couldn’t stay awake on the ride home and slept for most of it.
When we got home my mom greeted me with open arms and Mr. B wouldn’t even look at me. He looks great tie dyed though! I gave them gifts and showed them everything I got. It was so nice to see them and to sleep in my own bed.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Japan, Here I Come!
I woke up at about six for my flight, which was way early for me. We had Vietnamese coffee and chocolate pancakes before leaving. Carrie, Catherine, Alex, and I left for the airport at about 7:18 for and got there at I think 8:00. I wished everyone goodbye and thanked them. When I checked in for my flight, the people were so nice! They made it and so I didn’t have to get my bags in Japan, bring them the hotel and then lug them back and recheck them the next day. They just gave me these stickers to show the people when I checked in for my next flight to SFO. Then they had a man escort me to the security line just in case they gave me a hard time about my painting. It was in a round black case that looked a little suspicious.
I had to take an underground train to my gate! On the plane no one was sitting by me, it was so nice to have leg room! For the four, or maybe five, hour flight I watched movies. After I got through customs in Japan I took a bus to the Hilton Narita hotel and just hung out in my room. I watched this movie that was really cool about car racing/drifting in Japan. I think I liked it so much because I had done or been at a lot of the same places as they showed on the movie.
I had to take an underground train to my gate! On the plane no one was sitting by me, it was so nice to have leg room! For the four, or maybe five, hour flight I watched movies. After I got through customs in Japan I took a bus to the Hilton Narita hotel and just hung out in my room. I watched this movie that was really cool about car racing/drifting in Japan. I think I liked it so much because I had done or been at a lot of the same places as they showed on the movie.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
China!
At about 10:30 today Carrie and I got in the car to go to Shen Zhen, China. After the car ride we took the train to the boarder. Even though Hong Kong is part of China you still have to go through customs and have a visa. Every single time I went across, the boarder guys never thought I was the same person as my passport. They looked at me and then my passport and then at me again about ten times before asking the other person working what they thought. We went to the jeans shop to buy the pairs I had looked at the last time.
When we got into the main shopping area at one store the girls told us it was all original and the only store in the area. I really liked two dresses and Carrie liked some pants there. The girls were extremely persistent on getting us to buy them and it took a long time to get the price down. Finally we just walked away with one of them yelling after me to stop. One of the things I needed to get before leaving was a suitcase, so next we search the area for some. After lots of haggling I got the price down way low, a very good deal for how nice and big the suitcase was. I have to admit I am starting to like haggling!
When we went up to the seamstress to get our clothes we had gotten altered/made not all of it was there! I had a coat tailored and a dress altered and Carrie had some shirts and dresses for the girls made and a jacket altered. All they had at the store were my jacket and the shirts and dresses for Carrie. Carrie needed the jacket for an interview that Friday and I was leaving the next day, so we had to get them to bring over our things for the factory. With two hours to kill before out things arrived we got some food. On the way to the restaurant, went back to that first store to try and get the dresses and pants, but the girls were really angry at us. They yelled and wouldn’t budge on the prices. Disappointed we went to go eat and it cheered us right up. The food was great and it costs about eleven bucks. With time still we looked around a bit more and went to get pedicures.
When we went inside, there was an audience watching and talking about us. They tried to charge Carrie and me for everything and get us to have our nails and eyebrows done too. We kept having to tell them no, if you are charging us for this or that, then we don’t want it! When or nails were done drying it was the right time to go get our clothes. On the way I heard a lady yelling missy missy! I kept walking because every single person says that, trying to get you to buy something. When I finally looked it was the girls from the first store with the dresses and pants. After a little negotiating we got them down to a good price and everyone was happy. I also got some more tea for my mom and Carrie got some more for the girls at the same place as we went last trip.
Already late, we went through customs and immigrating, raced to the trains, and drove to the pool in Sai Kung. The girls had swimming that ended at about 6:30. After dinner, I made some chocolate and peanut butter pudding that was amazing and so easy to make! It was getting late so I packed up all of my things and was so glad to have that extra suit case. I really needed it!!!
When we got into the main shopping area at one store the girls told us it was all original and the only store in the area. I really liked two dresses and Carrie liked some pants there. The girls were extremely persistent on getting us to buy them and it took a long time to get the price down. Finally we just walked away with one of them yelling after me to stop. One of the things I needed to get before leaving was a suitcase, so next we search the area for some. After lots of haggling I got the price down way low, a very good deal for how nice and big the suitcase was. I have to admit I am starting to like haggling!
When we went up to the seamstress to get our clothes we had gotten altered/made not all of it was there! I had a coat tailored and a dress altered and Carrie had some shirts and dresses for the girls made and a jacket altered. All they had at the store were my jacket and the shirts and dresses for Carrie. Carrie needed the jacket for an interview that Friday and I was leaving the next day, so we had to get them to bring over our things for the factory. With two hours to kill before out things arrived we got some food. On the way to the restaurant, went back to that first store to try and get the dresses and pants, but the girls were really angry at us. They yelled and wouldn’t budge on the prices. Disappointed we went to go eat and it cheered us right up. The food was great and it costs about eleven bucks. With time still we looked around a bit more and went to get pedicures.
When we went inside, there was an audience watching and talking about us. They tried to charge Carrie and me for everything and get us to have our nails and eyebrows done too. We kept having to tell them no, if you are charging us for this or that, then we don’t want it! When or nails were done drying it was the right time to go get our clothes. On the way I heard a lady yelling missy missy! I kept walking because every single person says that, trying to get you to buy something. When I finally looked it was the girls from the first store with the dresses and pants. After a little negotiating we got them down to a good price and everyone was happy. I also got some more tea for my mom and Carrie got some more for the girls at the same place as we went last trip.
Already late, we went through customs and immigrating, raced to the trains, and drove to the pool in Sai Kung. The girls had swimming that ended at about 6:30. After dinner, I made some chocolate and peanut butter pudding that was amazing and so easy to make! It was getting late so I packed up all of my things and was so glad to have that extra suit case. I really needed it!!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Ladies Let Go!
It was the girls first day back at school today so everyone started their routines again. Well that is, except me. I slept through the girls fighting, crying, and getting ready for school noise. While Frank got ready for a meeting I did some homework until it was time to meet carry in town. I planned to leave at about 11:30 just to have a little extra time even though he said it would take 5 minutes to get there. So I walked up to the bus stop and it was sooo hot! I waited and waited and waited. Until about 12 when I called Carry to tell her that the bus was taking a while and I’d be a bit late. While I was telling her a bus was driving up so I told her I would be right there and hung up. The bus drove right by me, and then another did the same thing. It made me so mad (they only hold 16 people and drive by if they are full). So finally I just took a taxi which cost me about the equivalent to $5 instead of $0.35 and I was 20 minutes late!
When Carrie and I finally met up we took a bus into central, got lunch, and went to the ladies market. She had to be back to pick up the girls at three for their mandarin lesson, so our plan was for me to just take a bus back at around 4 or 5 and meet them at the end of the lesson. We ate at this place that had noodles with fish balls. It was an off day for me with the chopsticks and was spilling everywhere. I could hardly get any of it in my mouth! Then the waitress told me to move to the bench that Carrie was sitting on so another man could sit there with us. I didn’t want to spill all over him too so we left.
Carrie really wanted some true religion shorts so we went straight to a stand with some. Trying things on at most of the markets is pretty difficult. They hold up a sheet and you just try it on right there with people walking by and all. At this stand they didn’t have a really good place to do that, and so there was no space to move around behind the sheet. Plus there were people on a ladder right across the street. We finally got them down to a good price after they made up lots of excuses as to why last time I was there they were 50 bucks cheaper. After that we walked around trying to find an Ed Hardy sweatshirt with a dragon on it for Alex’s birthday. At the end of the market Carrie had to go and took the bus home. I walked back through getting various gifts and clothes. I think the ladies market and temple street are by far my favorite!
When I was done and had no money left I took the bus to Sai Kung and met Carrie. We went home to change then picked up the girls and drove to central. Everyone was hungry so we went to the North Point Gaisi. As you walked in there was a sign warning to watch for rats! Carrie got chicken liver, pork, fried rice, broccoli, chicken, and, after persuading the girls, some black ink pasta. It is just normal pasta with tons of squid ink and garlic, so when you eat it your teeth and mouth turn black. All of us got pictures after eating it, and on the way out we saw a bunch of old men doing the same thing!
After that Carrie dropped Alex, Catherine and I off to go on the peak tram. . The peak Tram was started in 1888 and has not been modified since. There is a single steel cable and the trams car going down balances and pushes the other car going up the track. It is also very slow but safe. Originally only the British were allowed to live on the peak, and natives would run them up the hill in rickshaws. Victoria peak is spotted with houses worth, at minimum, ten million dollars. The world’s most expensive house is on Victoria Peak. In 1997 an offer of Hong Kong $900 million dollars was made, but the owners refused. Because it was a school night for Alex and Catherine, Carrie met us at the top so that we could leave quickly. The tram was actually pretty cool, but it was also pretty scary. It was surprisingly steep! When we got to the top we met Carrie, got some ice cream, and watched the light show. The girls were exhausted and bored by then and so we drove home.
When Carrie and I finally met up we took a bus into central, got lunch, and went to the ladies market. She had to be back to pick up the girls at three for their mandarin lesson, so our plan was for me to just take a bus back at around 4 or 5 and meet them at the end of the lesson. We ate at this place that had noodles with fish balls. It was an off day for me with the chopsticks and was spilling everywhere. I could hardly get any of it in my mouth! Then the waitress told me to move to the bench that Carrie was sitting on so another man could sit there with us. I didn’t want to spill all over him too so we left.
Carrie really wanted some true religion shorts so we went straight to a stand with some. Trying things on at most of the markets is pretty difficult. They hold up a sheet and you just try it on right there with people walking by and all. At this stand they didn’t have a really good place to do that, and so there was no space to move around behind the sheet. Plus there were people on a ladder right across the street. We finally got them down to a good price after they made up lots of excuses as to why last time I was there they were 50 bucks cheaper. After that we walked around trying to find an Ed Hardy sweatshirt with a dragon on it for Alex’s birthday. At the end of the market Carrie had to go and took the bus home. I walked back through getting various gifts and clothes. I think the ladies market and temple street are by far my favorite!
When I was done and had no money left I took the bus to Sai Kung and met Carrie. We went home to change then picked up the girls and drove to central. Everyone was hungry so we went to the North Point Gaisi. As you walked in there was a sign warning to watch for rats! Carrie got chicken liver, pork, fried rice, broccoli, chicken, and, after persuading the girls, some black ink pasta. It is just normal pasta with tons of squid ink and garlic, so when you eat it your teeth and mouth turn black. All of us got pictures after eating it, and on the way out we saw a bunch of old men doing the same thing!
After that Carrie dropped Alex, Catherine and I off to go on the peak tram. . The peak Tram was started in 1888 and has not been modified since. There is a single steel cable and the trams car going down balances and pushes the other car going up the track. It is also very slow but safe. Originally only the British were allowed to live on the peak, and natives would run them up the hill in rickshaws. Victoria peak is spotted with houses worth, at minimum, ten million dollars. The world’s most expensive house is on Victoria Peak. In 1997 an offer of Hong Kong $900 million dollars was made, but the owners refused. Because it was a school night for Alex and Catherine, Carrie met us at the top so that we could leave quickly. The tram was actually pretty cool, but it was also pretty scary. It was surprisingly steep! When we got to the top we met Carrie, got some ice cream, and watched the light show. The girls were exhausted and bored by then and so we drove home.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Just a note--
I have not been able to download my photos. So I will add them to the blog and it will be much more interesting, when I get home the end of this week!
Last Day of break for the kids, Last day of work for us!
When I woke up, a delicious smell drew me to the kitchen. Carrie had baked home made cinnamon rolls to make Catherine feel a little better and to thank Thomas and Sabina. While we were eating, I looked through a Hong Kong travel book reading off all of main attraction to Hong Kong. Checking if we had missed anything or if there was still something I really wanted to do. Alex was invited to stay at her friends for the rest of that day because they were having a bbq. This made Catherine very upset, but she didn’t make a big fuss about it. So we decided to go to Stanley market one last time, go to dinner, and watch a movie at home. We quickly went back to Sabina’s to drop off some clothes for Alex and the cinnamon rolls, which Alex was ecstatic about. Poor Catherine had to sit in the car while all the kids ran up from playing to have some. When we left with Catherine still with us after she asked numerous times to stay we reminded her that Alex had to do this the other day too and we were going to go shopping for some new dresses. She still wasn’t too excited.
At Stanley we all split up; Frank went to the rugby t-shirt place, Catherine and Carrie went to eat and get clothes for her, and I went to get some presents and just look around. They gave me Catherine’s phone so when I was done we all met up at a restaurant where Frank was having a beer. The plan was to pick up Alex and then go to Anthony’s Ranch for dinner in Sai Kung. When we went to pick up Alex she had already eaten and was having so much fun we left her there until we finished dinner much to Catharine’s dismay. Frank had meetings all day on the 20th and the 21st was leaving for business. He was upset that we were having American food as my last dinner in Hong Kong he took me to. Remember, he is the one always trying to get me to eat weird foods. But it was good though I overate and felt sick afterwards.
We picked up Alex after and dropped her friend Edward off at his house before going home to have cinnamon rolls and ice cream. Before watching Rachel’s Wedding, Frank scared me by saying that you can get blood clots in your legs from sitting down to long on flights and they could travel to your heart giving you a stroke or heart attack. Even though it only happens sometimes with people when they travel a lot I am still keeping note to walk around on my flight home!
At Stanley we all split up; Frank went to the rugby t-shirt place, Catherine and Carrie went to eat and get clothes for her, and I went to get some presents and just look around. They gave me Catherine’s phone so when I was done we all met up at a restaurant where Frank was having a beer. The plan was to pick up Alex and then go to Anthony’s Ranch for dinner in Sai Kung. When we went to pick up Alex she had already eaten and was having so much fun we left her there until we finished dinner much to Catharine’s dismay. Frank had meetings all day on the 20th and the 21st was leaving for business. He was upset that we were having American food as my last dinner in Hong Kong he took me to. Remember, he is the one always trying to get me to eat weird foods. But it was good though I overate and felt sick afterwards.
We picked up Alex after and dropped her friend Edward off at his house before going home to have cinnamon rolls and ice cream. Before watching Rachel’s Wedding, Frank scared me by saying that you can get blood clots in your legs from sitting down to long on flights and they could travel to your heart giving you a stroke or heart attack. Even though it only happens sometimes with people when they travel a lot I am still keeping note to walk around on my flight home!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Classics
For the majority of today I didn’t do very much. Both the girls were at Thomas and Sabina’s house. They are a really sweet German couple with three kids. Thomas walks with Frank on Saturdays and Sabina does paddling with Carrie. We all wanted peanut butter cookies and so our plan was to make them, pick up the girls, and then go to dinner. However upon arriving to pick Alex and Catherine up they invited us to stay for dinner. So Carrie and I went back to the house to get the cookies, which I was glad about since I looked terrible, not expecting to see anyone. Thomas’ sister was visiting from Germany and she also has two little ones also. So there were about 8 kids running around. It was a good thing there house is so big so we only saw them when they all came charging in for dinner and cookies. It was pouring outside and all of the kids were all soaking wet. They had been outside running around for hours. Good thing it is still warm when it rains here!
Thomas called their son Sebastian who is fifteen telling him he had to come home and hangout with me because they thought I was board. When he eventually didn’t come home though he said hi to all of us and went in the other room. They all joke around about being German and give each other a hard time. It was pretty fun just listening to all of them. Frank was shocked that I had never seen Casablanca before and had been planning on me watching it before I left for some time. When the topic came up of how nice the German uniforms were in that movie we decided to watch it.
Thomas kept saying I was so polite for saying I liked old movies and dinner and was having fun, but I was telling the truth! About five minutes into the movie I realized that I had seen it before. When the movie was finished they invited the girls to stay the night. They are all Alex’s friends and she barley gets to hangout with them because they are all guys so we took Catherine home with us. She was so upset and sobbed and sobbed. Not caring that she had a sleepover earlier in the week when Alex stayed home. Even when we got back to the house she was still sobbing. It was pretty sad.
Thomas called their son Sebastian who is fifteen telling him he had to come home and hangout with me because they thought I was board. When he eventually didn’t come home though he said hi to all of us and went in the other room. They all joke around about being German and give each other a hard time. It was pretty fun just listening to all of them. Frank was shocked that I had never seen Casablanca before and had been planning on me watching it before I left for some time. When the topic came up of how nice the German uniforms were in that movie we decided to watch it.
Thomas kept saying I was so polite for saying I liked old movies and dinner and was having fun, but I was telling the truth! About five minutes into the movie I realized that I had seen it before. When the movie was finished they invited the girls to stay the night. They are all Alex’s friends and she barley gets to hangout with them because they are all guys so we took Catherine home with us. She was so upset and sobbed and sobbed. Not caring that she had a sleepover earlier in the week when Alex stayed home. Even when we got back to the house she was still sobbing. It was pretty sad.
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