This city is on speed

So I've only been in this city for 72 hours - but it's been a crazy 72 hours. I've taken in SO MUCH in such a short period of time.

I swear - this city is on speed. The drivers are crazy. There are bright lights everywhere, there are so many people, and the city doesn't sleep. I think I've found a city that is safe to say even more crazier than London or New York in my opinion.

Highlights so far?

1) Seeing my family. I wasn't that excited before coming but it's been SO GOOD to see my extended family. They really do love me and dote on me like crazy. It's almost like being at home w/ my mom. ;) But it's been such a blessing to see them again. My grandmother is particulary excited and when b/c of her age - she'll ask me the same question again and again w/in a 5 minute interval. ANd then my aunts start to snap at each other which is interesting.

2) Transportation. There are so many ways to get around the city and you can get what's called an "Octopus card" and it's like a debit card that you can use on all forms of transportation. It's pretty sweet. ANd you can even use it at the 7-11's - of which there are literally one of every block. My personal favourites are riding the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour for $2.20 HKD which is like 35 cents. And the two level trams which are $2.00 HKD,which is even cheaper. I rode the double decker bus up to the Peak and in my opinion, there were SO MANY close calls. Thank God, I haven't been hit by a bus or taxi, or small bus, or tram, bike, whatever... Oh yeah, and on HK Island - they have public escalators that go up one part of a hill. THey go down the hill towards the Central Business District up until 10:30am and then afterwards - they all go up to the residential area. Crazy.

3) Food is awesome. I found a California Pizza Kitchen the other day. It's not exactly CHeesecake Factory or Red Robin but it's a nice reminder of North America. Food here is really cheap and that's what I've been doing all day. Eating and eating and eating. Lots of chinese food. I haven't tried anything too weird yet. It's the mid-Autumn festival so there's no shortage of mooncakes.

4) Cheung Chau. It's a little island that's about a 30 minute ferry ride away. Very beautiful and not hectic at all. THere are no cars on the island. It was pretty sweet to walk around. A couple of things about Cheung Chau. THis gecko fell out of a tree about 2 feet in front of me. And the cemetaries on the island have a beautiful view of the ocean.

5) Architecture. I remember looking at architecture books years ago. ANd it's so cool to see all the real buildings now.

There's so much more but I don't want to make this too long or you won't read it. ;) I am very proud to say that I'm getting along very well in my Cantonese. I've surprised even myself.

I'm having a great time. It feels like I've been away for much longer than 3-4 days. Each day is such an adventure. This is probably my last post for now from Hong Kong. I leave for China on Monday morning. Sorry, I dont have any pics to post. I"m using this free internet terminal inside of the subway station right now.

Why is blogspot.com in Chinese...?

So I've arrived in Hong Kong safely last night. It was a decent flight. I love how you have a selection of in-flight movies to choose from on Cathay Pacific. It was pretty overwhelming arriving in Hong Kong. It all finally sunk in when I landed on the tarmac - I was like - what the heck am I doing? Don't laugh- but I actually started to cry a bit. Not b/c I was homesick but because I was emotionally overwhelmed. Walking through the terminal - all I could think was "oh my God, oh my God, oh my God."

I was surprised to see my cousin outside the gate waiting for me. I thought that I would have to get to the city myself but she helped me find my hotel and then we went out for a late dinner and to check out the Temple St. night market. I am really grateful that she showed up.

First impressions of Hong Kong: it feels like I'm in Chinatown - a really, really big chinatown, or even Richmond. Everyone here is Chinese. Yes, I know that's obvious.... It's just sort of surreal. Lots of neon lights. Stores are opened late. Lots of tall buildings. The night market sort of reminds me of the Richmond Night Market - for those of you who have been. Lots of fake watches, fake Billabong shirts, etc.

So I got up early this morning - didn't really sleep much last night. I managed to have breakfast at a restaurant. I'm not really used to being illiterate so I had to have the waitress list the things on the menu for me in Chinese. I stopped in at three 7-11's just now to ask for the closest internet cafe. There's like a 7-11 every 2 blocks here. (I've seen 2 starbucks so far). So now I'm currently in a gaming cafe, lots of explosions from computer games going on around me, and the guy sitting next to me was staring at me typing in English for awhile. It's sort of cool being able to practice my Chinese though. I'm gonna be screwed in SE Asia though....

And I don't know why - but all the instructions on blogspot.com are in Chinese.... I hope I hit the right button to publish this...

Well, I'm testing my ability to post pictures - so let's see if this works. By the way - this is my old gang at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Aren't they awesome?!? GO TEAM!

Two more weeks...

It's only 2 more weeks until I pack all my belongings and leave on a jet plane to my first stop - Hong Kong. What a great way to be introduced to the craziness of Asia, huh? I haven't been to Hong Kong since I was 7. My vague recollections of the city at that time - lots of taxis, lots of people, and lots of big buildings. We'll see what sort of impression Hong Kong makes on me this time.

By the way - did I mention that I am VERY excited?