Very Good Advice

The CO has been visiting this week. He's such a funny character. Last night he said, "if you're single and want to get married, but can't find anyone here, don't worry. There will be over 4,000 people in Hong Kong next month. Don't look at the stage, it's too far away. Look around your seat. See who you can talk to and meet." Very good and practical advice, I'd say.

Cheap Beer and Sweaty Friends

There's this Dong Bei restaurant in the neighborhood that we've eaten at. The AC doesn't work great and the doors are usually kept open so its pretty steaming inside. The tables and chairs are kinda sticky and dirty looking. We all sanitize our bowls and chopsticks with hot water that the restaurant provides for that purpose. In New York, this place would probably receive a big F from the Health Department. But....my oh my, what amazing food this place has! Tasty and cheap. The owner (who reminds us of HeLan) gives us discounts cause the friends come here all the time. We ate here a couple of nights ago after a party - 14 of us crowded around a table, drinking beer (3 large ones for 10 RMB or $1.50 - i think we ended up with 12), eating skewered lamb kabobs, deep fried sticky sweet potatoes, jellyfish, sweet and sour pork, fried dumplings and so much more. The guys were down to their undershirts with sweat dripping from their faces. It was a night of cheap beer, good food and sweaty friends. What more can you ask for?

Hello...

... He's Jack. I'm Jill. Nice to meet you.

Phobia

I was visiting a friend in her tea stall this morning when out of the corner of my eye, I see something move. I look down and see this huge cockroach not too far from my feet. For those who are not familiar with cockroaches in Asia, they have long antennas and are 3-4 times bigger than their American relatives. Oh, and they fly. Think roaches on steroids with wings. That's what we've got here.

Another friend was telling me a roach flew right into her face in the middle of the night when she got up to get a drink of water. She screamed so loud she woke up everyone in the house. What if that happened to me? Yikes!

Tidbits

Few pics from our first full day in China (Monday). It's about 300 degrees here and humid.

Imagine you are in the subway station on a hot summer day in NY and wearing a fur coat and wool hat. That's what it feels like here. =) Despite the pore-clogging heat, we are having a good time here. Clockwise from top left corner:

Typical street corner; the entire group goes apartment hunting - the Lee's for a short-term rental, a one-year rental for us; Phil pondering what to get for breakfast; hanging out in Jonathan & Nancy's apartment where we are staying temporarily along with Jessie; umbrella are a necessity here, every little bit of shade helps; strolling the neighborhood -we definitely stand out here and not just Phil!; typical restaurant scene - plate of fried dumplings=less than $1, tomato and beef over rice with side of veggies=less than $2, bottle of cold water=15 cents, iced coffee and chicken McMuffin special at McDonalds=90 cents; Jessie shopping at the nearby Park & Shop, a big store that sells everything, kinda like Target; it's normal to leave your garbage at the table when you're done and there's no tipping here!!; Jessie and I happy and satisfied after a meal; reunited with Bryan, as usual he's always got stories and will make you laugh; Jonathan flossing with the piece of wire Helen found in her noodle soup.

Rewind

Dinner at Kyo Chon two days before our flight. FYI - Don't take the chicken skin off Rachel's plate! She saves the best for last! =)

Touchdown

The 15 hour flight went by quick. We arrived in HK just as the sun was going down. After finding our way to our hotel by bus and putting down our things, it was time to search for some FOOD!! Wonton noodle soup & baked pork chops with rice - YUM!!!