Hong Kong

I am writing from a dorm room in Hong Kong University (HKU....many things here are actually referred to with an acronym, and I get that). All is very well, and I will post pictures once I get to Australia Thursday and can get internet on my own laptop. The last 3 days have been.......Chinese! I've spent them trying to figure out subways, buses, and minibuses and following the 'neighborhood walks' section of my guidebook. Sunday afternoon I finally made it to Aviya's dorm-- I have only made it to most places I was trying to go because of friendly Chinese people who usually happened to be going to the same place and when I asked for directions, would say 'you come with me'...and I did! And it has so far worked out great!

I have been wandering around Hong Kong by myself the last few days, yesterday taking the subway over to Kowloon and the neighborhoods of Mong Kok and Yau Mei Tsei (ok I kind of made up that last one, but it was something like that). I found bird markets, flower markets, regular markets, jade markets, and even a Chinese present for Daffy! (which I miiiiight still have with me in 4 1/2 months) Then yesterday afternoon I met up with Danielle and we walked around in 'Causeway' which is the Times Square sort of area, and got local snacks (but not too local --those are the octopus and strange forms of meat--) which usually involve mango in some form. Today I took the ferry across the harbor to Tsim Shau Tau (...?) whoops ok this time I went to check, it's called Tsim Sha Tsui and walked around there. And toniiiiiiight Aviya and I took the tram up to the peak for an amazing amazing panoramic view of the city at night. Really,this would be so much more interesting with pictures, and I will post them sooooooon.

So tomorrow is my last day, and even though I've had lots of cultural experiences, I am READY to head down to Aussie and let the semester begin and the adventures continue!