SURPRISE

Because of some complications there was a change of plans. I am going to spend the rest if my trip in Hong Kong! While talking to Lynn, my best friend’s mom, my mom told her about the predicament and that I had no place to stay for the rest of my trip. Lynn told her that she has good friends who live right on the ocean in a 5,000 square foot house and would love for me to come and stay with them. So now I leave for Hong Kong tonight.

Before I left Jake and I took a 15 minute bike ride to a neighboring city and go to a temple. On our way we go through this cemetery where generations of a family’s ash will be placed in one plot. It is truly magnificent, they take very good care of them are clean the stones regularly. Also, there are some stones that are hundreds of years old that are also very beautiful; I wish the pictures captured it better. Anyways we walk down these little windy stairs laid into the dirt. I guess that people will be walking and find them randomly in the country side; people have taken the time to make staircases in the remotest of places.

Surrounding the temple where are restaurants, flower shops, and all sorts of things. There was a little river with a gorgeous bridge across it and blooming trees everywhere. The temple was one thousand years old and had recently been restored. I cannot believe people actually live here and get to see this every day. It truly doesn’t look real! We walked around trying to find an old castle, but ran out of time and had to go and have lunch before I left.

Jake saw me off at the bus stop. I sat and watched the city fly by for the two hour ride to the air port. I was checked in and at my gate by 4:50 and discover my flight boards at 6:40. There was a very long delay on the tarmac, but eventually we take flight and are on our way. There are screens that show you your take off and landing from a camera at the front of the plane, it was sort of scary but exhilarating watching it. I think I was the only one on the flight that was remotely interested though; everyone else was sleeping of reading.

The service was so nice for ANA Airways; they offered you beverages every 5 minutes and the food was surprisingly good. It was a very empty flight and so I got to sit by myself and stretch out a little. They kept offering me free alcohol but I denied them every time mom when I got to the airport the customs line was gigantic, much longer than the one in Japan. I felt so bad for Frank and Carrie waiting so long for me. I meet Carrie and Frank for the first time and they are the nicest people I have ever met. When we got to their house there was a sign on the door welcoming my from their oldest daughter Alex, who is ten. And another big sign on my bed from seven year old Catherine.