Russ: Week 1 (First Impressions)

It's nearing bedtime over here and we have our first official day of school tomorrow. The 5 days we have been here have been so jam-packed with excitement that I almost feel like I've been on a 2-week vacation. The days are a little blurred together in my memory now, but I'll give a rundown of my overall impressions.

The flight over was far more taxing than I expected. I'm usually perfectly fine with flying, but the small size of seats on a plane can take its toll on a guy my size. I drifted in and out of sleep all the way through, but never really felt like I slept. It's sad that I never got to experience Vancouver or Bejing for much more than the airports, but I enjoyed the small breaks from the cramped planes.

Arriving in Hong Kong and going to our new home almost felt like a dream after a 24-hour, sleep-deprived journey. After driving through the bright lights and tall buildings surrounding the airport, I was pleased to discover that I'll be spending the next 2 months living in a quiet mountainside apartment. I enjoy the hustle and bustle of downtown, but when it comes time to plan lessons and prepare for teaching, I'll appreciate the relative seclusion. The Australian couple we are living with are simply amazing. Their generosity seems almost limitless and I am forever in their debt for the opportunities they are providing us with.

The view from the hill leading to our new home

We have only spent a limited amount of time at the school, but the welcome we received was even warmer than the weather here (which is incredibly warm and humid, for those wondering). We were met with a huge assembly, complete with presents, speeches, and a big ol' banner with our names on it (they even spelled Mr. Peddle correctly!). The students are enthusiastic and fun, the teachers seem very kind and helpful, and I get the impression that I'm really going to love it here (to the point that I might have a hard time leaving).

We were given the first few days to recover from jet lag and get our bearings (with the exception of the half-day of welcoming activities), so we took full advantage by exploring various regions. We've seen bits and pieces of Sai Kung (where we're living), visited the "Ladies Market" and surrounding shops in Mong Kok, scoped out a handful of malls, took a ferry to Hong Kong island and saw a light show. We've only scratched the surface so far, but I'm already very happy with what I've experienced. I've never been much of a tourist, but there have been several times in the last few days where I've just stood back and said, "Wow...I'm actually in Hong Kong and it's amazing."

Hong Kong from the ferry.

With respect to adjusting to a new environment, I haven't experienced anything close to the culture shock that people warned me about. Yes, I do get stared at a lot and the food and customs are obviously different than what I'm used to, but I feel pretty great about that. I have been expanding my palette for food more than any of my friends or family could possibly imagine (because they know me as a picky eater) and so far I've loved everything I've tried. I even successfully used chopsticks for supper this evening! I'm sure I'll start to miss certain things as time goes on, but English is much more prominent than I expected and McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, KFC, and Starbucks are always a stone's throw away.

The busy streets of Mong Kok

Well, I should be getting to sleep. I'm the first of 5 people to shower in the morning before school, so I need to get up super early. It's my goal to write in here as often as possible, so keep checking back for more updates!