Faith...Hope... and Love...: Hong Kong Visit Day 1

Though it has not been a full 24 hours since we have been here... I am already in awe of how awesome this place is. I plan to keep lots of notes while on my two weeks here.. My blog post will be a good way to relive these experiences and also keeping people updated.. Here we go...

Our Flight...

I love flying! The 17+ hours went by so fast. My butt was sore and I couldn't find a comfortable position to sleep so I didn't. I think this is why I'm not suffering form jet lag. I might have dosed off here and there for about 30 mins. We were very close to the RR and a HUGE advantage was that we sat alone. This was key because I was able to get up as many times as I wanted without being embarrassed to disturb the strangers next to me. I remember my flight to Peru. I sat mostly and didn't get up because I was unlucky and got assigned a seat in between two people and I hated asking them to get up. This was not an issue this time! So, Thanks to Mario's Company who booked our flight and chose awesome seats.. They had to have charged a bit more.. but I am so GRATEFUL!

American Airlines, Good job for providing so many movies, music, games, and TV shows to watch! This came in handy when boredom struck...

Our CAB ride...

So weird when the driver's seat is on the right.

Bless this man! There were a few things I did understand but for the most part he talked about politics.. and had us listen to him sing some Johnny Cash, and other American music. He wasn't bad! He was extremely SLOW though... every one was passing us by.. Mario was irritated by this.. but I decided to enjoy it!

Dinner..

One of Mario's collegues was waiting for us to go have dinner. We had a bit of a delayed.. Our first room wreaked of cigarette smoke. We were certain they had given us a smoking room. Mario saw my face and didn't even let me jump in the shower (That is all I wanted to do after so many hours on a flight!) We went through the trouble of rolling down all 5 suitcases downstairs instead they had given us a smoking room. The attendant was so apologetic.. Supposedly the previous room was a non-smoking room but she explained that sometimes their Chinese guest don't follow rules. She felt so bad she brought us to our new room and kept apologizing. She wanted to make sure it was to our liking. I am so glad we went through the trouble of getting a different room.

After a quick shower, we walked to a restaurant for dinner. It was small and quaint, and served dim sum (dumplings are the IT thing to eat here.) That and stuffed rolls. I am more of a dumplings fan than rolls.. They were so yummy! As we walked to and from the restaurant I couldn't help but note how familiar it felt.. and I quickly realized that it reminds me of MEXICO. The only difference was the language I heard, and face features I saw...

After dinner, we went straight to bed.. exhausted and ready to rest!

MONDAY!

Unfortunately, Mario had to show up to work today (Monday, Hong Kong Time).. So I woke up early and ironed his clothes. I also woke up to a very crowded hotel room. This frustrated me because I hate Clutter.. After seeing Mario off, I jumped in the shower and had plans to tidy up the room. Mario forgot his passport. He was headed for Shen Zen, where he needed to present his passport.

I felt help less.. I wanted to meet him half way but realized I'd probably get lost and just waited in lobby for him to arrive.

Breakfast was so nice. Buffet style and lots to choose from. Mario left too early to eat with me but hopeful to share breakfast with him when he works out of HK. His company has office space here in Hong Kong but, today he was headed to their other work space in Main Land China..

After breakfast I tidied up the room and decided I would venture out and find cornstarch so that I can iron the rest of Mario's clothes. I wasn't too happy with the result of ironing without cornstarch..

Not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. My biggest fear was getting lost. After walking into several stores.. I found a market which had cornstarch. Walking alone I took advantage and snapped some pictures, for memories but also landmarks. (you can see most of this on Snapchat! ) Communicating with some of the clerks at the stores I stopped was an adventure too. Luckily the "Handy Phone" the hotel provides allowed me have internet and I was able to use the translator to communicate what I was looking for. Not going to lie, some of the clerks appeared to be rude. I say appeared because after watching them interact with locals... their behavior was just as "rude" towards them. So I came to the conclusion that its part of their culture, the way they talk and communicate here is different than what I am used to and therefore I can't take things literal or personal.

Walking back to hotel room I realized that a lot of different people live and work here. It is very diverse. I see myself here already! It is very exciting. Two years will fly by but I am ready for the move and very glad Mario's company gave me the opportunity to come check it out before we fully commit to making the move.

Some of the things I know I need to get in the USA before we move are....

- FLAT shoes! tennis shoes. ......................... Lots of walking will be done.... and fast too!
- Re-useable bags for groceries.................... They charge you for plastic bags.
- Leggings... Lots of them....
- Hair Cut............The humidity here is ridiculous... shorter hair will be more manageable... I think!

I am sure the list will grow..

For now I am just going to leave it at that.. Going to get ready to go and get a closer look at the Harbor. Mario was't kidding when he said that its always very cloudy .... he says its contamination... and I am starting to think he is right especially because people walk around with face masks.... wondering if I should add that to my list of things to get.

Enjoy my pictures..