Hello There Everyone!
Tonight we held a Hong Kong Tradition called a "superpass dinner." The point of this is to wish one another good luck before exams begin.
We started by going downstairs to the common room, where everyone took a Chinese brush and some red paper and wrote messages of good luck to one another. Those of us foreigners learning to write Chinese took the opportunity to write some of the simple wishes we learned, as well as writing our names in Chinese (I'll tell you mine in a post later!), and the other international students also wrote messages in their native languages.
Then, we went for dinner. The dining hall was filled with all kinds of different foods from the usual. Before we could eat, the warden said a few words and then handed everyone a lucky envelope with coins inside, meant to bring good luck in the exams.
After the stampede that was dinner, the night wound down with a little Karaoke.
So, I'd like to wish everyone 经过(Superpass!), and I'll talk to you all soon!
Monday, 22 November 2010
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Malaysia!
Hello!
Apologies for the long absence. I have been quite lazy....er...busy.
Mostly busy, really, truly.
Before reading week, we had founder's night, which is when the hall's freshmen become full members of the hall, and when they gave all us exchange students the hall robes and ties to run around in. That same week we had "Global night." For that one, we had hot pot. People tend to call hot pot Chinese fondue, since it involves putting a bunch of raw food in boiling broth to cook, then fishing it out and eating it. It was really good food, and the event itself was some of the most fun we've had in the hall so far.
Then, I went to Malaysia. So, most of you have heard the run-down of my trip already.
Some background: my roommate Andrew and I couldn't decide where to go for reading week, so we went to the travel agents with the goal of going anywhere. We ended up with a trip to Penang, an Island in Malaysia.
It took a while to get there (we had four hours in Kuala Lumpur airport plus lots of flights) so our first day we pretty much just ate dinner at a local shopping mall and then went to sleep.
Tuesday (the next day), was our city day. We wondered through the 31 degree, 95 percent humidity to heat to various attractions. We saw an old fort, a clocktower, lots of awesome colonial architecture, beautiful mosques and temples. We went shopping, and just generally gallivanted around Georgetown, the state capitol of Penang.
Wednesday we hopped on a bus for Batu Ferrenghi, the main beach area. We actually passed by the beach, somewhat accidently, and instead wound up in a much nice and more secluded beach, where we lay in the sun and looked out on the beautiful Indian ocean (yep, another ocean under my belt!). For lunch, we ate at a Thai place called "The Monkey Tree." It lived up to its name, and we watched monkeys in the trees whilst eating. Then we went back to the beach, before going to the hotel swimming pool, before venturing through little India for dinner (note to self: some guidebooks include listings that don't exist and just leave you lost and hungry).
Thursday we just kind of walked around a bit before leaving. Malaysia was a nice place to see, but I can honestly say I missed Hong Kong, and it was nice to be back.
The past week has involved lots of tests, our Hall's cool Halloween ball and haunted house, an outing an Egyptian restaurant in SoHo (with Gelato afterwards!), and a halloween hike at a reservoir.
Hope everyone is doing well!
James
Apologies for the long absence. I have been quite lazy....er...busy.
Mostly busy, really, truly.
Before reading week, we had founder's night, which is when the hall's freshmen become full members of the hall, and when they gave all us exchange students the hall robes and ties to run around in. That same week we had "Global night." For that one, we had hot pot. People tend to call hot pot Chinese fondue, since it involves putting a bunch of raw food in boiling broth to cook, then fishing it out and eating it. It was really good food, and the event itself was some of the most fun we've had in the hall so far.
Then, I went to Malaysia. So, most of you have heard the run-down of my trip already.
Some background: my roommate Andrew and I couldn't decide where to go for reading week, so we went to the travel agents with the goal of going anywhere. We ended up with a trip to Penang, an Island in Malaysia.
It took a while to get there (we had four hours in Kuala Lumpur airport plus lots of flights) so our first day we pretty much just ate dinner at a local shopping mall and then went to sleep.
Tuesday (the next day), was our city day. We wondered through the 31 degree, 95 percent humidity to heat to various attractions. We saw an old fort, a clocktower, lots of awesome colonial architecture, beautiful mosques and temples. We went shopping, and just generally gallivanted around Georgetown, the state capitol of Penang.
Wednesday we hopped on a bus for Batu Ferrenghi, the main beach area. We actually passed by the beach, somewhat accidently, and instead wound up in a much nice and more secluded beach, where we lay in the sun and looked out on the beautiful Indian ocean (yep, another ocean under my belt!). For lunch, we ate at a Thai place called "The Monkey Tree." It lived up to its name, and we watched monkeys in the trees whilst eating. Then we went back to the beach, before going to the hotel swimming pool, before venturing through little India for dinner (note to self: some guidebooks include listings that don't exist and just leave you lost and hungry).
Thursday we just kind of walked around a bit before leaving. Malaysia was a nice place to see, but I can honestly say I missed Hong Kong, and it was nice to be back.
The past week has involved lots of tests, our Hall's cool Halloween ball and haunted house, an outing an Egyptian restaurant in SoHo (with Gelato afterwards!), and a halloween hike at a reservoir.
Hope everyone is doing well!
James
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Big Buddhas and Bigger Casinos!
Hello Everyone!
Well, last weekend was my birthday, and that means, of course, that I got up to some crazy antics (I.E.: Exploring).
On my birthday itself, I went to the world's largest statue of the Buddha. I took a cable car up, with fantastic views of the surroundings. On site, I went to visit the Buddha itself (that's one big statue!) as well as checking out the nearby temple, and digging in to some vegetarian goodies. One of the coolest parts of the experience was the fact that there were animals roaming around the area: cows, dogs, and, I think, one was was even a bull! There was one aspect I hated though: It was far too touristy and commercialized. The idea of a Starbucks restaurant located on the way to the world's largest Buddha somehow seems distracting from attempting to attain Nirvana.
The next day, Tracy and Francesca, two of my friends from Hong Kong, and I all went to Macau. For those who don't know, here's a brief history lesson: Macau was a Portuguese colony until it was given back to China in 1999 (I did say brief!). Like HK, it's an SAR (Special Administrative Region), and retains it's legal system, it's own immigration procedures (meaning we had to bring passports; also meaning I have yet another new stamp!), and retains the Portuguese language. The fact is a strange one, because you see Portuguese on all official signs, on buses, etc., but not in most private establishments. What's more, I never actually heard it being spoken.
So, anyway, Macau is pretty cool. It has alot of Portuguese architecture, big public squares, cobble stone streets, etc. It also has some unique cuisine, which we sampled, including almond cookies and dried meet that are given as free samples (and thus eliminating the need to purchase any!). One of Macau's signatures is the Portuguese egg tart. This proved rather elusive for us: we decided we'd get some after dinner, but it turned out that that was when they stopped selling them. So, we wound up going all over Macau before finally finding any. Another enigma in Macau was the money. Sure, they accept HK dollars, but they give change in MOP (Macanese Patacas, almost equal to the HK dollar). What's more, MOP aren't accepted at the Casinos, which is Macau's main attraction (it's like Vegas, really, truly), and so I still have around 75 MOP just sitting around (any takers?).
Well, there's my great adventures. Hope all is well! As always, comments are welcomed!
Well, last weekend was my birthday, and that means, of course, that I got up to some crazy antics (I.E.: Exploring).
On my birthday itself, I went to the world's largest statue of the Buddha. I took a cable car up, with fantastic views of the surroundings. On site, I went to visit the Buddha itself (that's one big statue!) as well as checking out the nearby temple, and digging in to some vegetarian goodies. One of the coolest parts of the experience was the fact that there were animals roaming around the area: cows, dogs, and, I think, one was was even a bull! There was one aspect I hated though: It was far too touristy and commercialized. The idea of a Starbucks restaurant located on the way to the world's largest Buddha somehow seems distracting from attempting to attain Nirvana.
The next day, Tracy and Francesca, two of my friends from Hong Kong, and I all went to Macau. For those who don't know, here's a brief history lesson: Macau was a Portuguese colony until it was given back to China in 1999 (I did say brief!). Like HK, it's an SAR (Special Administrative Region), and retains it's legal system, it's own immigration procedures (meaning we had to bring passports; also meaning I have yet another new stamp!), and retains the Portuguese language. The fact is a strange one, because you see Portuguese on all official signs, on buses, etc., but not in most private establishments. What's more, I never actually heard it being spoken.
So, anyway, Macau is pretty cool. It has alot of Portuguese architecture, big public squares, cobble stone streets, etc. It also has some unique cuisine, which we sampled, including almond cookies and dried meet that are given as free samples (and thus eliminating the need to purchase any!). One of Macau's signatures is the Portuguese egg tart. This proved rather elusive for us: we decided we'd get some after dinner, but it turned out that that was when they stopped selling them. So, we wound up going all over Macau before finally finding any. Another enigma in Macau was the money. Sure, they accept HK dollars, but they give change in MOP (Macanese Patacas, almost equal to the HK dollar). What's more, MOP aren't accepted at the Casinos, which is Macau's main attraction (it's like Vegas, really, truly), and so I still have around 75 MOP just sitting around (any takers?).
Well, there's my great adventures. Hope all is well! As always, comments are welcomed!
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Lamma. With one L.
Hello Everyone!
So, this weekend, my friend Drew had what turned out to be a fantastic idea.
Let's go to Lamma Island!
Where? Exactly!
It's an island off the coast of HK. We took a ferry from central, and 25 minutes later we were on an island with no high rises, no hustle bustle, and nope, not even cars.
Basically, one lands in one of Lamma's two villages, and then follows a cement path across the island to the village on the other side. For us, this trip took several hours and involved a wonderful stop at the beach. But why tell you? I'll show you! Enjoy the pictures!
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Chung Chau Fai Lok!
*Translation: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.
So, let's start with some Background on the festival. Mid-Autumn festival celebrates the moon, and the harvest, similarly to our Thanskgiving. People light lanterns, eat mooncakes, gather with their families and watch the moon (Not so much last night because of clouds, but I did see it!). Our Chinese professor told us that many people with family overseas enjoy this holiday because when they look at the moon, and then their relatives in the UK or US or wherever look at the moon, they're looking at the same moon. Awww.
My festival fun started last Saturday when I participated in a volunteer project to deliver mooncakes to Senior citizens. A friend and I went to The New Territories, Hong Kong's suburban area, to a 'town' called Tsuen Wan, the very end of a subway line! There, we went to a seniors' centre, and were split into groups of two, one of whom would speak Cantonese. My partner and I visited two different Apartments. The woman in the first apartment was so friendly, she felt bad not to speak English, but smiled big and gave me a thumbs up when I stumbled over a few Cantonese words. The couple in the second apartment were friendly too, and so impressive! In their 70's, they bike two hours every day to the ocean! I was so lucky to have a fantastic partner who translated better than the translators at parliament-Wendy, if you're reading this, thanks so much!
Some of the seniors had mentioned a fruit called a Pomelo, which, when they were young, they would carve to make the lanterns. So, I purchased one of those, along with a lantern and a mooncake.
Minor Segway here in the middle of the week-Arabic class was set to start Tuesday, but instead we got all dressed up and went to a fancy reception hosted by the Saudi Embassy at the four seasons hotel, with important ambassadors, and even the chief-executive (governor) of Hong Kong!
Back to Chung Chau Fai lok. Wednesday, the day of the festival, my buddy Tracey ,and her Friend Francesca, took me and a few other foreign students from my hall to Victoria park to see the festivities, including a 'fire dragon', chinese acrobatics, and of course many lights and lanterns. We took my lantern (although candles were banned this year), and a few of us ate our mooncakes.
It was a great time! I'll post pictures soon, I promise!
So, let's start with some Background on the festival. Mid-Autumn festival celebrates the moon, and the harvest, similarly to our Thanskgiving. People light lanterns, eat mooncakes, gather with their families and watch the moon (Not so much last night because of clouds, but I did see it!). Our Chinese professor told us that many people with family overseas enjoy this holiday because when they look at the moon, and then their relatives in the UK or US or wherever look at the moon, they're looking at the same moon. Awww.
My festival fun started last Saturday when I participated in a volunteer project to deliver mooncakes to Senior citizens. A friend and I went to The New Territories, Hong Kong's suburban area, to a 'town' called Tsuen Wan, the very end of a subway line! There, we went to a seniors' centre, and were split into groups of two, one of whom would speak Cantonese. My partner and I visited two different Apartments. The woman in the first apartment was so friendly, she felt bad not to speak English, but smiled big and gave me a thumbs up when I stumbled over a few Cantonese words. The couple in the second apartment were friendly too, and so impressive! In their 70's, they bike two hours every day to the ocean! I was so lucky to have a fantastic partner who translated better than the translators at parliament-Wendy, if you're reading this, thanks so much!
Some of the seniors had mentioned a fruit called a Pomelo, which, when they were young, they would carve to make the lanterns. So, I purchased one of those, along with a lantern and a mooncake.
Minor Segway here in the middle of the week-Arabic class was set to start Tuesday, but instead we got all dressed up and went to a fancy reception hosted by the Saudi Embassy at the four seasons hotel, with important ambassadors, and even the chief-executive (governor) of Hong Kong!
Back to Chung Chau Fai lok. Wednesday, the day of the festival, my buddy Tracey ,and her Friend Francesca, took me and a few other foreign students from my hall to Victoria park to see the festivities, including a 'fire dragon', chinese acrobatics, and of course many lights and lanterns. We took my lantern (although candles were banned this year), and a few of us ate our mooncakes.
It was a great time! I'll post pictures soon, I promise!
Friday, 17 September 2010
Lay Ho!
*Translation: How are you? (Hello)
Hello Everyone!
I apologize for the delay in updating; I've been too busy enjoying Hong Kong!
Over the course of the last few weeks since I updated:
1)I visited the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG for short, not that it's that short anyway). Already, this is one of my favourite places in Hong Kong! The gardens are beautiful and the animals are fascinating!
2) I visited the beaches on the south side of the island: Repulse Bay and Deepwater Bay. The beaches here are absolutely amazing! The sand, the warm water, staring out at islands on the South China Sea. Life's Good!
3)The Hong Kong Museum of history, where my roommate Andrew and I got better acquainted with the history of HK.
4)Rode the Mid-Levels escalator from bottom to top. The world's longest escalator, people actually use it as a way of commuting, sort of like the Rideau Canal, I suppose?
5)Went to the Horse Races at Happy Valley. Gambling feels better when you realize that loosing thirty Hong Kong dollars is only losing 4 Canadian.
Also, I've hiked to the Peak, twice, and it's something that a friend and I are endeavouring to do daily, if possible.
Also! I've seen a fair bit of 'Canadiana' Here, and will be making a Facebook album, so check for that.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Hello Everyone!
I apologize for the delay in updating; I've been too busy enjoying Hong Kong!
Over the course of the last few weeks since I updated:
1)I visited the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG for short, not that it's that short anyway). Already, this is one of my favourite places in Hong Kong! The gardens are beautiful and the animals are fascinating!
2) I visited the beaches on the south side of the island: Repulse Bay and Deepwater Bay. The beaches here are absolutely amazing! The sand, the warm water, staring out at islands on the South China Sea. Life's Good!
3)The Hong Kong Museum of history, where my roommate Andrew and I got better acquainted with the history of HK.
4)Rode the Mid-Levels escalator from bottom to top. The world's longest escalator, people actually use it as a way of commuting, sort of like the Rideau Canal, I suppose?
5)Went to the Horse Races at Happy Valley. Gambling feels better when you realize that loosing thirty Hong Kong dollars is only losing 4 Canadian.
Also, I've hiked to the Peak, twice, and it's something that a friend and I are endeavouring to do daily, if possible.
Also! I've seen a fair bit of 'Canadiana' Here, and will be making a Facebook album, so check for that.
Hope everyone is doing well!
Monday, 6 September 2010
Gam Yat Ho Yit Ah!
*Translation: Today is very hot.
Y'know, I wondered why the Learn Cantonese Podcasts I listened to before coming here (which have proved invaluable, by the way!) Only taught me two types of weather:
Gam Yat Ho Yit Ah
and Gam Yat Lok Yu Ah (It's raining today).
I no longer wonder-these are the two options for weather in Hong Kong.
So what've I been doing?
Well, School, for one! Classes are going well, pretty much every class has a tutorial (A small discussion group), which is rare in Ottawa (or was in second year, at any rate). Also, very few text books to buy, which makes me happy (My most expensive was actually an Arabic book I already owned but left at home-and even that was cheap!).
I've also been exploring. I've been to the markets in Mong Kok, the big shopping centres in Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced Chim sha Choy), Admiralty and Tai Koo, the waterfront in TST, the golden Bauhinia square, Dim Sum with my local buddy and another local friend...the list goes on!
I really like taking the MTR (Underground): it's such a novelty, since we have none in Ottawa (Or Castlegar, or Sydney, or Hali, etc.). I've also been enjoying the bakeries: as some of you know, baked goods are like crack to me, and here you can buy a slice of chocolate cake for about 2 dollars Canadian, even less for Tiramisu etc.
I've even mostly adjusted to the heat (except today, which was excessively hot, even for HK), and have endeavoured to walk home from school instead of taking the bus.
I'll post some pictures of the tourist sites I've seen in another post soon. Also, I'm going to start making posts in French on a regular basis, but these won't replace anything in English, so don't worry.
Leave comments, hope you're all well!
Y'know, I wondered why the Learn Cantonese Podcasts I listened to before coming here (which have proved invaluable, by the way!) Only taught me two types of weather:
Gam Yat Ho Yit Ah
and Gam Yat Lok Yu Ah (It's raining today).
I no longer wonder-these are the two options for weather in Hong Kong.
So what've I been doing?
Well, School, for one! Classes are going well, pretty much every class has a tutorial (A small discussion group), which is rare in Ottawa (or was in second year, at any rate). Also, very few text books to buy, which makes me happy (My most expensive was actually an Arabic book I already owned but left at home-and even that was cheap!).
I've also been exploring. I've been to the markets in Mong Kok, the big shopping centres in Tsim Sha Tsui (pronounced Chim sha Choy), Admiralty and Tai Koo, the waterfront in TST, the golden Bauhinia square, Dim Sum with my local buddy and another local friend...the list goes on!
I really like taking the MTR (Underground): it's such a novelty, since we have none in Ottawa (Or Castlegar, or Sydney, or Hali, etc.). I've also been enjoying the bakeries: as some of you know, baked goods are like crack to me, and here you can buy a slice of chocolate cake for about 2 dollars Canadian, even less for Tiramisu etc.
I've even mostly adjusted to the heat (except today, which was excessively hot, even for HK), and have endeavoured to walk home from school instead of taking the bus.
I'll post some pictures of the tourist sites I've seen in another post soon. Also, I'm going to start making posts in French on a regular basis, but these won't replace anything in English, so don't worry.
Leave comments, hope you're all well!
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