I am being completely honest in saying that I had no idea what I was getting into when I left the US to do an exchange program in Hong Kong. It didn’t hit me that I wouldn’t be seeing familiar faces or sights for another five months or so until I actually got on the plane to leave. In fact, the thought of getting off the plane in Hong Kong kind of scared me into not sleeping on the plane at all.
I ended up watching Seventeen Again, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, and Hotel for Dogs on the plane while thinking up ways to yell at the kid sitting in the seat behind me who insisted on using the back of my chair as a punching bag. One day when I make my own money, I am never flying economy and NEVER flying United again.
I digress. I’ll fast forward fifteen and a half hours to save all of you the boredom of reading about my terrible flight with United Airlines.
Hong Kong is absurdly hot! Two steps out of the airport and the three or four layers of clothing I had worn on the plane ride to keep warm became instantly drenched with my sweat. There is no way I can put into words how beffudled I was! I thought Chicago summers were bad enough but nothing I have been through in my life could have prepared me for such a drastic climate change.
After a week I am slowly growing more accustomed to the weather and my daily shower count has dropped from five to two or three. Maybe one day I’ll be able to last an entire day with just one shower!
Hong Kong is amazing. I am in love with this place! Things tend to smack you right in the face here, but if you take a step back, you realize how beautiful they are.
ie: My first impression of the residence I will be living in for the next few months was FAR from being anything positive. The actual buiding is covered in tarp and surrounded by bamboo scaffolding. My room at first glance was run down and poorly ventilated; not exactly what I was hoping would make me feel at home in a foreign and very unfamiliar country.
I have since spruced up my room and after getting the air conditioning unit working, the room is actually quite spacious and surprisingly comfortable! Although under renovation, the halls are great and facilities are sufficient and quite satisfactory. I have met so many people here it’ not even funny! I have a hunch that the university dumped a significant chunk of the international students into the three nearby halls to make adjustment to life in Hong Kong much more easy. I haven’t spent a single day bored or alone since arriving and I suspect that this trend will continue until the week before finals.
Anyway, you didn’t visit my blog to read a very elongated and random string of thoughts so here are some pictures I’ve taken from this week.
Enjoy!
DAY 1: Central and Causeway Bay Mayhem!
IFC Mall
-The entrance to one of the world’s busiest financial centres. There is quite a sizable shopping mall inside with some of the world’s most pricey and fashionable retailers, go figure!
Aaron and Vander
-Following Vander’s trusty Lonely Planet guide to Hong Kong, we took a lift up to the 55th floor of the IFC (unfortunately the public is not allowed access to the upper floors which are occupied by companies and the like). There is an observation deck and an exhibit on the currencies of Hong Kong.
Observation Deck
-I couldn’t manage to take a decent picture of the view from the observation deck so this one will have to suffice. It’s a damned amazing view and if you’re ever in Hong Kong, make your way to the IFC, it’s well worth it!
Observation Deck 2
-And yet another view.
Yoo Rim and Aaron
-Random picture, but I guess they were just as amazed with the view as I was.
Decisions Decisions
-After leaving the IFC we made our way to Causeway Bay. We can never decide what to do because there is just too much to do in Hong Kong!
Times Square
-Right outside of the Causeway Bay MTR station. Times Square Hong Kong, not New York. There is a huge mall here. I am told the retail space on the ground floor of Causeway Bay is some of the most expensive in the world. You can really see this being true inside of the mall; the stores on the ground level are super expensive, then as you go up the stores become more and more typical.
Das Gute
-Yasmin posing in front of a German bakery. She seemed appalled at the selection of baked good inside as they didn’t seem to be very authentic. Hong Kong has a ton of international chains; not just McDonald’s and Yoshinoya!
-We ended up watching Inglourious Basterds at the cinema here. It’s crazy, watching an American film abroad. The movie wasn’t half bad but when we left the cinema, I was really surprised that I was in Hong Kong and not at home!
Packed Street
-It’s hard to capture the idea that the streets in Hong Kong are incredibly packed at all times! Apparently Hong Kong is by far the most densely populated area in the world. It makes sense since the actual square footage of the islands are not that large and yet the population is quite immense! Don’t quote me on this though, I was told this during orientation and have not actually looked up the exact figures but there are something like 6,000 people per square kilometer!
Street Food
-I need to start taking my time to stop at street vendors to sample local foods. I’ve been eating at the university canteens and restaurants and while restaurants are nice, to really get to know the local flavour, street vendors are a must!
Fried Stuff
-A closer look at what was being served at this particular vendor. A fried, doughy thing. While super unhealthy, they’re surely delicious!
Cane Juice
-I personally chose to treat myself to a cup of pressed cane juice. Sugar cane is delicious so I couldn’t resist! Quite refreshing and cheap!
Busy Street
-Driving in Chicago I thought the streets were hectic enough but Hong Kong is on a whole other level. Public transportation is great here though and I don’t see myself ever trying my hand at driving here!
Bay
-As with all countries in Asia, Seven Elevens are everywhere. In fact, they’re so abundant that they have become our haven here in Hong Kong. We make multiple trips to various Seven Elevens each day, and as touristy as this may seem, every street becomes our club/bar! We chose to buy a few beers and to sit down here after a long day of walking. I’m guessing this is Causeway Bay, since we couldn’t possibly have strayed too far on foot from the MRT station.
Victoria Park
-And on the same day…
This past week in Hong Kong has been amazing. I have a ton of other pictures to upload but that will have to come later. And even still, the number of pictures I have taken thus far can’t even come close to depicting how crazy this week has been. I’ve only taken my camera out twice and the pictures above are only a select few from one day! Not to mention that I have absolutely nothing to show from the three days I’ve gone to the beach and the five nights spent at Lan Kwai Feng (where foreigners and ex-pats party at night)! Alcohol and sand don’t mix well with cameras.
Well, I guess that’s it for now! Classes start tomorrow and I have a long day ahead of me so it’s time for bed.
Best of wishes from Hong Kong to all of you at home and to those of you in Hong Kong with me!
Serena Wu
1 September 2009
Andrew! I actually subscribed to your blog right after ITASA, so your HK update appeared in my google reader and I got all excited. I’m commenting from the HK airport right now, waiting for my flight back to SF. It’s been 2 months in Taipei, Singapore, Brunei, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Hong Kong and I can’t wait to get back to dry California weather! I only got to spend 2 days in HK, but I took the peak tram up to the top for the view and also spent a great deal of time walking around Central and Kowloon. The Symphony of Lights show is AMAZING from the Avenue of Stars. Anyway, have fun and best wishes =)
Earl of Stoughtonham
8 September 2009
king andrew,
sounds like ur doing great. im requesting a food entry with tons of pics.
hopefully me and sir richard will make it over during winter break. prepare for marauding.
love,
thy knight