Val : It's been more than a month!

It’s incredible how time flies by since we’ve been here! Though I can feel the tiredness slowly coming, I still have difficulty finding the right words to describe how I feel here! I am at the point where I would simply need my family here to stay here forever! I love the country, the atmosphere of our house, the way we are being treated everywhere, and so on. Every morning I wake up a little earlier than the others, I shower, get ready really fast and then I enjoy my coffee on my balcony facing the water and the sunrise while the birds are singing. It simply is truly magical!

 

the view I have every morning when I wake up... the sun sis slowly rising on the picture...

I’m still waiting for this culture shock, but I guess that it just won’t happen, everything is too perfect for that! Nevertheless, yesterday, we went to mainland China to get a massage –what a massage- and experience the real shopping and bargaining. There I saw quite a difference! It’s not really that I had a culture shock, but simply that I didn’t feel really safe as opposed to Hong Kong where I feel at home and really safe.

 

At a university campus still in Hong Kong before going to China!

Still, our day yesterday has been perfect! Our principal brought us for morning tea where we finally had the real Chinese breakfast, the same dishes as those we have for dinner! It was deeelicious! Then we went to mainland China, got our visas for 1 day and headed toward the market. Sorry for the language, but I was about to go nuts! Everything was so cheap! I bought a belt, a watch for my boyfriend and a 8Gb USB key for $15 in total!

 

When we arrived in China

Then we went for massage and there started the best day of my life! I might be exaggerating a little, but still, it was amazing. They provided us with clothes, sandwiches, melon, apples, tea and then we went for the two hour “crazy” massage. I had never had such a massage! I’m really sore this morning, but it felt really good. The girl was folding my legs over my head and… no okay maybe not this much but still, she’s been able to move my legs and my arms in positions that I wouldn’t even try to imagine being possible for my body! Then we had access to showers and saunas. All of this for about less than $25! I still can’t believe it! And finally, we went for dinner provided by Amy, an incredible teacher at our school. We ate duck, pork, rice, shrimp, and so much more! A little more shopping , to buy shoes for $1,51 and a pashmina scarf for about $7 and we headed home…at last! We were exhausted but had the greatest day!

 

At the massage place.. don't we look like we're part of a sect or something like that? Sorry guys for the picture.. but I think that we look wonderful! :)

 

and the rest of the group with Michelle, the benefactor's niece. We had such a great time! Where's Juanita you might ask... HIDING FROM THE CAMERA! ;)

All I can say by now is that today, teaching was hard after such a Sunday.


This is a simple example of the way that we are being treated here; everyday brings a new experience for all of us, ever y single one of them always being really enjoyable and fulfilling –we eat all the time!- So far, I just can’t believe that we are coming back in less than five weeks! I love Hong Kong and its people!