Chopstick Dreams and Bamboo thoughts

I can still remember the smell of the air that seemed to be lightly scented with fresh laundry mixed with a hint of salty, ocean air. Smeared in the liquid sapphire sky, were clouds scattered randomly in the sky and had a virgin white appearance. According to some websites and other guidebooks, Tasmania claims to have the purest air in the world. For two weeks of my Christmas vacation, down under in Tassie, I enjoyed endless Australian comforts with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. A truly rejuvenating and refreshing experience in mind, body, heart and soul.

The jazz band played ‘White Christmas’ while I was eating my Nepalese chicken kebab at Café Deco in Hong Kong airport, eagerly awaiting my Hong Kong departure. I immediately felt on vacation as soon as I checked my bags in and went through security. While sitting and sipping on some bubbly brew waiting for my food, I did experience pangs of homesickness for my typical Cape Breton Christmas traditions. Snow, family members, friends, visiting and sitting around a kitchen table were slowly clouding my thoughts as the music played on. The band did a fantastic job of helping me to reach deep inside for a bit of holiday spirit by playing on of my favorite Christmas carols. But, the band also reminded me of my loneliness that I was experiencing my second time only away for the holidays. Really, I was dreaming of a white Christmas and I was alone waiting for a flight to go almost to the bottom of the world. I don’t think I could have gone any further from my home in Canada as I did this Christmas. The kebab was fantastic. Lucky for the plate, I decided not to eat that too. I was able to leave the design and plate on the table with my almost empty pint. I had fifteen minutes to make it to gate 18 so I downed my last sip, paid my bill and gathered my belongings. Making my way down to the departure gate, I was observing and watching everyone around like I always do walking through airports. Sitting, standing or sleeping, people hung around by their departure gate. Walking faster, I wondered where they are all going for their Christmas holiday. Airports always intoxicate me with an intense curiosity of where everyone is going and whom are they travelling with. Getting closer to my gate, I see that the destination by the gate number said Shanghai. What! Did I not read the boarding pass correctly? Sweating and almost running, I dash to the nearest departure board and Quantas flight 128 was now departing to gate 26. Just as I finished reading the board, I heard the announcement of the change of gate for QF 128. Off I jog in the opposite direction to make the 7:25pm boarding call. Finally, at 8:45 I was up in the air with belongs stowed and flipping through the in flight magazines.

Intolerable Cruelty was my first movie choice, followed by Ratatouille, a cute, cartoon comic about a mouse who could cook. If anyone knows anything about working or being part of a French kitchen, you too would find Ratatouille hilarious at 1:00am in the morning somewhere over the ocean. Tired and eager to see Paula, Kevin and the kids, I tried to sleep on the late flight, but only drifted in and out of a light sleep until landing at 10:30 am the next morning in Sydney, Australia. Finally, it was December 23 and I began navigating my way through the Aussie Airport in order to go through security. I stop and take a picture of the ‘Welcome to Sydney, Australia’ sign, but seconds later a security official approached me and told me that photos were not allowed. Impatient now I was beginning to get, I was finally able to break myself through the almost bottom-of –the-world-crowds. As I speed walk through the crowds with blond hair, beach style attitudes and summer-clad outfits, I knew that I was going to love Australia. On to my gate and on the plane again, I settle into a semi-comfortable state only for about two hours and a bit. I finally see water and the grounds of Tasmania as we begin our descent. Preparing to land, I feel like a kid again on Christmas morning anticipating the opening my first gift.

Immediately proceeding through the arrivals gate, I quickly x-ray the crowds of welcomers trying to find my sister and her family. Not spotting anyone familiar, I go to the baggage carrousel to collect my things. Still, I wait and see no one. Staring and gazing around again, I search for maps, guides and any local entertainment paper that would direct me the local scenes and flavors of Hobart. Finally, I see all that I have been waiting for. We all hug and embrace one another, smiling from ear to ear. On we all go to Kingston Beach, destination, my sister’s new house. Along the way, we buy some local raspberries from a very warm and friendly man then drive on to the grocery store near my sister’s place. Venturing into any new grocery store, there awaits an undiscovered adventure. Up and down the isles, I’m curious as to what brands dominate the shelves, what people in Tasmania like to buy and what ‘international’ flavours melt into the western selections. Trying to seek out familiarity in the grocery store, I discover something very unfamiliar…. shopping in bare feet, EWW! My sister goes on to fill me in that going about and around shops in bare feet is quite a normal phenomenon.

Cleaning, baking cookies for Santa and enjoying a Cascade draught (a local Taz brew)
provided the backdrop for Christmas celebrations. I began to smell a warm aroma of Christmas wafting in and out of the kitchen as I was busy helping my sister prepare for Christmas day. Time was getting late and there were presents that needed wrapping so Paula and I had fun playing Santa’s helpers on Christmas Eve. Morning and presents arrived for Mac and Emma. Sipping coffee, crunching on Santa’s leftover cookies, and the rustling of Christmas wrap were the dominant sounds late Christmas morning. Mac was mesmerized with his Leggo airport while Emma was multi-toy tasking with her new dollhouse and dollclothes. Early afternoon, company dropped by with a gift for Paula and Kevin. It was Lee and Jason, both from Campbell River, British Columbia who have been living in Tasmania for about three years; another great couple living the dream of working and being abroad. We immediately bond over travel stories that I unpacked from my back pocket. Thinking and feeling that it’s a small world, our stories of travel and adventure confirm that for all chatting. Later Christmas day, I step outside to harness some distilled air and the backdrop of the landscapes seduces my senses. Inhaling the sea’s breath, I am lured by the magnetic pull to live a kind of life in some countryside while being busied by bohemia at the same time. Standing out in the back yard, I love what I breathe, what I see and what I feel. Can life be any better? A few days later, heading to the beaches nearby with Stephanie and the kids, I recognize and make mental notes of the uncanny similarities Tasmania has to Nova Scotia. I love the gentleness and comfort of Tasmania’s magic; it has cast an unbreakable spell on my city soul.

It’s Sunday and market day in Hobart. The sunshine, crowds, and buzzing sound set the atmosphere for the Salamanca Market. Strolling to the market stalls, I catch a glimpse of the handsome, dressed in red, Sydney-Hobart, Wild Oats race contenders chatting it up in their sea tossed hair. I think that if I were a sailor, I wish were one of them. Sunny and hot, then sunny and cold. Down on the waterfront today, ‘tis a perfect day for spending hours being lazy and watching the yachts moor in the harbour. Staring at the boats, I imagine myself lazing about on one of those grand sailboats, sailing the Bras d’Or lakes during a hot, summer day; someday, perhaps. Walking through the gourmet aromas and perfumes, my stomach was telling me that I must eat something delicious, full of fat and of course, hot. Sight, taste and smell were on an all time high, making my way through the hearty, mouth-watering haze, which guided me to the sausage stand. Later on after inhaling my sausage wrap, fruit, flowers, jewellery, home crafts and clothing paved my experiences through the rest of the market. Some creamy, carmel-y, Tassie Tiger homemade fudge melted its way into my stomach as Steph and I make our way back to find Paula, Kevin, Mac and Emma. On our way to locate the rest of the family, two giant kangaroo’s go hopping on by; we try to edge closer to get some good close-up photos. Waiting for that picture perfect moment, I felt as though I was a little girl at the circus waiting in line for a balloon, then snap! Picture history! Two giant kangaroos later, I look across the harbour and take another mental photograph then head home with the rest of the gang.

Between the trips into Hobart, the caves and outings in and around Kingston Beach, I tucked my city spirit away for two weeks and unpacked my country gal passions. While living at my sister’s place and being so close to the beach, I fell in love and took up with shell picking. A few times when Steph and I made it down to the beach, we decided to go on a shell collecting mission and pick up as many shells as possible on the beach. Exotic, colored, and intricate, many shells filled my Ziploc bag and took up space in my suitcase on the journey home. Shells like the ones we found on the beaches were shells that I had only seen on postcards or in beach stores. Scouring the sand, going knee deep in water to extract these beautiful sculptures, I felt at peace with everything. Visions of shell necklaces, bracelets and earrings filled my thoughts and preoccupied my mind. I was a shell hunter and gather, seriously, it was truly releasing. Being in Tasmania brought back my feelings of how I deeply appreciate nature and life as a laid-back beach bum. I think I’ll trade in my black, Nine West stilettos for a dozen pairs of Roxy flip flops. Sitting in the hot, dusty Australian sand, digging my feet in deeper, I think how much I’d love to stay here for much, much longer. Later in the week, we made our way to Bonorong Wildlife Park. It was a huge highlight as we were able to see Australian wildlife in the flesh or should I say the fur. Kola’s, Tassie Devils, peacocks and Kangaroo’s, oh my! It was magnificent to feed, to come so close and to touch an animal that you only saw on TV, once upon a time ago. Mack and Emma loved every bit.

I desired big plans for New Year’s Eve, but in the grand scheme of two weeks, all od what I really wanted to do was spend time with my sister, her family, and Stephanie, who we have known for over the past twenty years. Family, friends, wine, food, and movies became the highlight of New Year’s; I wouldn’t have had it any other way. A couple of private tears dampened that evening and my cheeks as time was of the essence. My time in Taz was approaching an end in only four days.

It was hot and a crystal, clear day. Heading back down the beach just one more time to pick more shells, watch the waves roll in, and to think about my past two weeks before my 5:45pm flight to Melbourne was due out. Paula, Steph, the two kids and I head down to Kingston beach for lunch and some togetherness time in the sand. A final Cascade draught beer on the beach, watching the kids play in the water while baking in the hot southern sun was my first Tasmania good bye. I became burdened with emotions of not wanting to leave a beautiful two weeks with the only family I have in this part of the world. Dreading the journey home to Hong Kong, I tried to comfort myself thinking of a life I could have someday just like those two weeks in Tasmania. Wandering thoughts and imagination kept me from tearing up on the car ride to the airport. The wandering thoughts brought me to think that maybe a life like my two weeks in Tasmania is not really that far off. Could Calgary really pan out? Could I live near the mountains again like I had always hoped? Maybe I could have that laid-back lifestyle after all. For a long time, I was still eagerly waiting to hear from the Calgary school board and the possibility of a teaching position there and perhaps, a new life.

Being strong and brave, I said all my good-byes and was left at the airport to gather my thoughts, my dreams, my wishes and my emotions so that I could make my way on the plane. Itching to get out so that my sadness was shortened, I was held up at the Hobart airport for over five hours. The plane that I was supposed to fly out on was experiencing mechanical difficulties; I’m glad we didn’t fly. Instead, a new plane was flown in from Melbourne, which I boarded at 9:30pm. Now, anxiety was dominating my stomach and of missing my connecting flight to Hong Kong at midnight. Lucky me, I made the Melbourne-Hong Kong connection with the help of Po, a Quantas worker who escorted me all the way from the plane, through international departures right to gate 9. Up in the air again, eating, movie surfing, book reading and restlessness busied my flight back to Hong Kong. On the red eye flight, all that I could think about was that beach lifestyle or rocky mountain type of life I may someday be living. Being in Australia for the Christmas holidays, Tasmania gave me back the best Christmas gift of all; the return of my lost love of nature and the outdoors. Living in Hong Kong I forgot how much I love the birds singing, the smell of grass, clean air and the beautiful ocean perfume. Feeling lonely and a little sad, my Christmas memories of Emma and Mac kept me cozy for the rest of the flight home. Brrrrrrrrrr, I thought, listening to the flight attendant announce the weather in Hong Kong; a balmy ten degrees. It’s 2008 and now, I’m so happy to think that I’ll be starting a Canadian countdown. To Calgary it is! Since my return from Tasmania, I was very fortunate to learn of my position with the Calgary board of education. Excitement and happiness were the only thoughts when I received the fantastic news of my new life in Canada. Wow, that nature-loving lifestyle is just on the horizon. Look out Rockies, I will come, I will have fun, I will conquer!

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It’s Friday morning. As I walk to my bus stop, I realize that the breeze is now cool; winter is coming. What looks like a summer sun, hangs between the two palm trees that guard the harbour. Reading my book on the bus, the sun shines through the window, hits my head and drips from my hair as I turn the page. These days, thoughts of crisp, clear and wintry nights coupled with snow-capped days fill my heart and head. Wood-cracking fires, freshly powered country lanes where the heavy morning mist hangs stagnant in the distance, I ache for these winter comforts. Feeling the warmth of your winter’s best, smelling the scent of the clean, wintry air with a nose so red and cold, I almost feel it now. When the early morning sun hits the snow, it is sometime indescribable; diamond glitter immediately comes to mind. I have always known that there is something magical and mystical about the winter and snow ever since my outings as a little girl in search of the perfect family Christmas tree.

Preparing for a holly, jolly season is somewhat of a new experience for me here in Hong Kong. Typically, I’m not familiar with the absence of family, old friends and palm trees during a Christmas holiday. It was to my understanding that there would not be many reminders or symbols of the Christian celebration when I first arrived last December 27th, 2006. Being sadly mistaken again about some things, everything and everywhere in Hong Kong is bling, bling, Christmas bells will ring! The amazing decorations, the fabulous displays, the lights, the lights and more light up Hong Kong. Already, the Hong Kong Island skyline is lit up like a festive holiday tree, I couldn’t have imagined it being any more decorative or festive.

My festive, holiday spirit has not been fully awakened within yet. I think that the absence of the snow and not being in Canada for the holidays may have something to do with it. After awhile of reflecting and hesitating about letting some old holiday traditions go in order to creat new ones; to spend the holidays on the other side of the world in another hemisphere is exactly my idea of an exciting Christmas. Seeing my niece and nephew will make my holiday perfect in every way like it was years ago; they are the chocolate filling inside your most delicious truffle! Seeing I can’t be in Canada for Christmas, I will help myself to conjure up visions of snow storms, gingerbreads, and traditional Christmas rituals inside my head. So, I head to the Ladies Market in Mong Kok to simulate some new types of pre-xmas experience. As my flatmate and I exit our building, Christmas trees, white twinkle lights, poinsettias everywhere in our apartment complex bid us farewell and wish us good luck on the shopping excursion. Upon leaving our flat and starting the day, the intoxicating, syrupy smell of gigantic fir trees loiters around all the entrances within the all the buildings and the main entrance of my home. Twinkle lights flutter within the evergreens that stand solemnly guarding the pool and on the other side of our walkway, while the poinsettias hover and crouch down to the ceramic road to tower six.

Buzzing in the cab to Mong Kok, again, it doesn’t feel like its Christmas. The only reminder is the calander on my cell phone that reads Dec 15 when I check and note the time. It took a some time trying to find the Ladies Market again; navigating through the utterly insane crowds of shoppers in Mong Kok is never a treat. The pushing, the banging, the hot-under-your-collar-and-jacket feeling…. Just like being in a mall during midnight madness session. Well, think midnight madness all the time at the markets, add a dash of impatience, a dollop of frustration and a mound of craziness, poof…there you have shopping here in Hong Kong everyday. Preparing for the holidays here in Hong Kong has not been that exciting or pleasurable as it usually is when I’m in Canada, especially when you have no oven in your flat or an Xmas tree. Usually, my pre-holiday rituals include baking traditional cookies and cakes, tearing through some shopping mall sighing impatiently to the strollers that hold me up as I speed walk down the mall. Secretly, I always want to mow these people over in my quest for the just the right gifts and the perfect Christmas cards. I also enjoy eating tons of chocolate, consuming pounds of xmas cookie dough, watching the amazing ballet, The Nutcracker, spending time with my friends and chillin’ with the family. Here, no oven, no cookies and cookie dough. Here, no family, so no chillin’ out with them. All is not lost or really that sad as I’ll be making my journey to the place of OZ!

Given my past complaints about the busyness of Hong Kong, it’s actually quite exciting to be part of all the holiday bliss and festivities in this concrete jungle of a city. The decorations, decorations and more decorations….I can’t believe my eyes in some places; especially the display at Harbour City, TST. There, at Harbour City Mall, it’s the Glitterotti! The lights, the sparkle, the glitter, the people again…taking pictures….gggrrrrrrr….Even though I feel desperate to get to Cape Breton for Christmas, I am overwhelmed with pleasure thinking about another adventure. As my departure date to Australia creeps upon me faster and faster, I think again, what new people will I meet at the bottom of the world…(well, not right at the bottom, but pretty close), will I make or form any connections with locals? Who will I bump into that I know already or will know someone that I know? It’s this anticipation that keeps me wanting to go new places and meet new people. Once you get a taste of it, you hunger and crave more adventure in your life when it comes to travel. Slowly, I’m letting go of not liking being in HK for the holidays, but when will I ever be in Asia for or Australia for the holidays again? As I think about what to pack for Tasmania, I wonder what to bring. Finally, I come to the realization that I need a new attitude and new holiday spirit….I’m going to Australia!! Whoo-hoo! I’ll pack layers of attitude into my head, in my heart and smoosh tons in my spirit, whispering to myself as I throw my sundress into by travellers pack. It’s amazing how a journey has the potential to transform your spirit. Your mind awakens when you have the right attitude in life and in your travel adventures abroad, I have learned. From my few travels, they have taught me to keep my mind; heart and spirit open to new possibilities, people and explorations. Embrace the day, don’t look back at yesterday, and be excited about tomorrow. It took Hong Kong and Thailand for me to really realize that the world IS my oyster. So, maybe you will think what I’ll do next with the time I have left here in Asia. Heck, with the next seven months left, I’m going to make myself a bloody pearl necklace, with matching earrings and bracelets! My life is fantastic and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cheers to all you other travellers and those who seek out adventure in foreign lands, life is grand! Listening to the band, as I eat my Nepalese Chicken Kebab at Hong Kong International airport, my spirit of Christmas has finally returned.

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As I look out at the view in my new flat, I see that the smokiness of the smog gently blankets the craggy mountains and the buildings that hug them. A small ferryboat is puttering fast through the harbour followed by the froth of the white foam from the stern. 12:30pm says the alarm clock that is on top of the heap of books neatly stacked on a brown wicker storage box by my wall of a window. It’s Sunday afternoon in Hong Kong and I’m being lazy by reading my new book, Almost French and gazing out the window simultaneously after each page I turn. When I turn a new page eager to find out what will happen next, I contemplate how I will make my day. I can’t seem to put my book down because I’m so absorbed relating my personal experiences to that in the story. In my new book, the story chronicles the experiences and disturbances of living life abroad in a new country. For the author, her stories and memories are all about making a life in France. As I digest the book’s pages, one by one, I too have been thinking a lot about my life in Hong Kong and how much I am growing to love it. Like in the book, a new place has it’s faults and flaws. About four months it took me to adjust to new inconveniences and to a new life, one that I have grown to love.

Tearing through the streets of Kowloon city, ripping over the bumps and being sloshed from side to side in the back street of a city cab, I peered out the backseat window. When I was looking out admiring the city lights and swaying palm trees that were a bit of a blur, I experienced a moment of truth. Sopna, my new flatmate and I decided to go back to the old neighbourhood, Wan Chai for an afterwork drink at Mes Amis. Mes Amis holds a special place inside my head, as this was the first nightclub bar I went to in Hong Kong and had my first encounter dancing with a very handsome foreigner amongst the crowds in the bar last year. Walking down the streets in Wan Chai towards Mes Amis brought happiness and sadness at the same time. Happiness because I returned to what was familiar and exciting, but sadness because I was no longer part of the Hong Kong Island life. As much as I griped and complained about the crowds and smells of Wan Chai, I secretly wish I was living there again.A little over two months ago when I was flying back to Canada for summer holiday, I had written a blog that I was going to post about my anticipation on returning to Canada explaining my excitement to see my family and friends again. But, the further I read on in my new book, the desire to write about home and Canada quickly left. Rather, I decided to share about my new home and my newfound love of Hong Kong.

When I smell the air in some of the cleaner areas in the city, there is something distinct that I cannot describe. Walking through the courtyard area in my new building, I deeply inhale the salt-scented air that firmly brushes my face. I breathe even deeper to see if I can pick out the different smells that decorate the air, but I cannot piece together a recognizable smell. I cannot relate to the distinct odor in the air but I recognize this new smell when I travel to other parts of Hong Kong like Stanley or Discovery Bay. At times the smell reminds me of that of a rain shower; maybe it’s a mix if the salt water that hugs the island in combination of the winds that sweep over the lush and green carpeted mountains that surrounds this concrete jungle. What ever the components are that make up this new ‘perfume’, I love wearing it on my skin.

I have vivid memories of my feelings of anxiousness when I would wander the crowded streets of Hong Kong last year. Also, when I would get on the mini bus that would take me to school, I would try and block out my feelings of distress by listening to music on my ipod. The ipod contains everything from Andre Bocelli to Asian lounge music and I would constantly replay a particular song that would somehow lift my mood of sadness. This particular new music tune became my mantra to start the day and my haven for peace of mind. The song is called Samba De Mon Coeur Qui Bat by Coralie Clement and I would love how it made me face the city with such upbeat and positive notions. Back then; I did not believe that my feelings of darkness would ever transform into something really radiant. My attitude has matured causing my feelings to change into appreciation and admiration. The city has cast its spell on me like allowing me to emulate qualities like those of a distinct character in your favorite novel.

Although my newly discovered feelings of Hong Kong have captured me prisoner, at times I wish to break free by returning to my heart once resided; home in Nova Scotia. I love where I grew up and the people who surrounded me. My memories keep me happy and humble while I live this exciting life in this international city. Home is where the heart is but what I have come to learn now is that you can create the feeling of home anywhere. For me, the feeling of home is in your heart and not where you physically residing. In this part of the world, I learned how to create a sanctuary inside my mind when things got challenging and tough. Creating a mental sanctuary is never easy but I managed to do it by finding small things that brought me comfort and sanity within this busy city. I was able to do this by listening to my favorite music or songs, finding a favorite location to decompress like Starbucks on Leighton Rd. Crucial to any solo expat is finding that one friend that shares in your laughter and in your tears because they have gone through the experiences of living in a foreign place too. When you are able to talk to others who have endured similar experiences that you both have gone through it creates a special bond. This bond that I speak of is common between all those who have lived abroad and experienced all the turbulence that we go through when living in a new country. Well, it’s not all turbulences that we are able to relate; there are many passionate tales that get shared as well. Passionate tales, exotic experiences get deconstructed over drinks, dinner and gatherings. The best stories that I love to hear about are of those of discovering a new shopping spot while wandering in a new neighbourhood or when you meet some random people who are passing through Hong Kong. Also, you never know who you will meet while you are sitting at a sushi bar or enjoying a fruity cocktail at your favorite lounge in SoHo. What I have come to love the most, is hearing about the new, secret vacationing spot that is not known to many westerners; I chew over these stories laced with tastes and hold it in my head before swallowing slowly….I don’t want to loose the flavor that this story created.

Where ever you are, and who every you are with, all expats and foreigners share a common bond in making the most of his or her new home. For me, I find comfort and have sought shelter in knowing that a new adventure is always just around the corner. When I get lonley and it is from time to time, I remember that home is just a phone call a way.

The first six months living abroad is the true test in deciding if living in a foreign country is for you. The first four months challenged me in ways I never thought possible, but I made it and here I am writing about it.

In a million years I never would have dreamed that I would ever work or live in Asia. When I think about it, it still seems so surreal. I have always wanted to travel the world or make a life in some interesting place that I had read about in a book or a magazine. I frequently reflect about the series of events that brought me to the fantastic city of Hong Kong whenever I walk down a new street or visit an unusual part of the city.

My main reason for coming to Hong Kong was a job. I was in desperate need of a teaching job and desperately needing to make a life for myself somewhere new. Although, living and teaching school on the West Coast of Canada was my first dream, my hopes of finding work there never did pan out. Instead, I spent six months slinging espressos and lattes at the local coffee shop in my sister's neighbourhood of South Surrey/ White Rock. Resume after resume what shot out in cyberspace and delivered to schools in the local area, but no interesting offers to work at any great schools. In about September of 2006, an offer did come up from a man who worked for a recruiting agency in downtown Vancouver. I was almost off to South Korea to work for an English school when better offer became available from a recruiter in Nova Scotia. While this negotiating was taking place a nuclear threat from North Korea became the hot topic of all the local news channels. Needless to say, you could understand why I chose Hong Kong. Well, really, another factor why I chose Hong Kong was that I had two friends living and working in the same city. Hong Kong it is, I said to myself. I don't know anything about Hong Kong, so off I go to pick up the Rough Guide to Hong Kong. Wow, anything you read about Hong Kong will never prepare you for what lies in store. On December 26, 2006, I left my dreams of living on the west coast; I left my family, my friends, my country and everything I ever new behind to take a teaching job in a foreign country all on my own.

Never did I think I would be a 'foreigner' and 'expat' in this world trying to adapt in a new country while figuring out where my place in this world is. If trying to figure out what being an expat in Hong Kong isn’t hard enough, sorting through the roller coaster range of emotions you experience while being an expat is. Not long after my arrival in Hong Kong, my blog was born. Sharing my experiences, thoughts and feelings with my friends and family about living in this strange yet exotic city, I hope to accomplish making more sense my life here. The truth of it all is that when I left British Columbia almost one year ago, I never had any kind of expectations at all for Hong Kong, just an open mind. Now that the gruelling adjusting phase is over, I am planning many events and trips to live life to the fullest in Hong Kong. Hope you are able to enjoy reading my blogs as I do writing them. Any comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome!

Yours truly, Ronda

Dragon boat racing is becoming one of the most popular pastime sports for expats in Hong Kong, according to a local news show I was watching days before the annual event. Dragon boat racing appears to be more of a mind/body sport where paddlers train all year in long wooden boats then compete around the end of June. When I first came to Hong Kong and heard of these ‘dragon boats’, I was quite intrigued and very interested to learn more about this favorite sport so popular among foreigners. Needless to say, I became excited to learn that I would be able to see these races in action in the month of June and figure out why this is one of the choice sport among expats. Dragon boating is a very demanding sport I was told by a girl; demanding on your body, your mind and your spirit. When I heard this, I know I need to find out more about the agony of training and team building approach this sport takes.

Excited and spiritually aroused I was to be part of this Hong Kong tradition when my former flatmate and I hoped on the #40 minibus to Stanley to catch a glimpse of and feel the rush of the competitors. To prime my curiosity of this event, I was on the lookout for some information in the local newspapers or flyers that float around Hong Kong. Lucky I was to come across some background information in a local entertainment magazine called BC magazine. According to the words from Jessica Jardine from the article ‘Dragon Boat Tales’, interviewee Ah Fat reveals the roots and tales about Dragon boating in Hong Kong.

Dragon boat racing functioned as a community hub for the families of fishermen, and now the festival is more significant to them, says Ah Fat. But the history and traditions of the races go back over 2000 years to commemorate the memory of Ch’u Yuan’s suicide. According to legend, the local people reacted to Ch’u Yan suicide by protesting against a corrupt ruler. The people rushed out to the river in the fishing boats, splashing water with paddles, beating drums and scattering rice dumplings all in hopes of preventing fish from eating his body (BC Magazine, 14 June 2007).

The hum of excitement and crowds of local and non local people filled the streets in Stanley. I felt a surge of butterflies fly through my system thinking that I would see this exciting event. As we make our way down to the competitor’s area, I look around at the crowds and I am floored at the masses of people that crowd the beach. Bravely, we make our way down to the shore in hopes of gaining a visible spot of the racers. Drenched with water, many of the brightly colored team costumes rush through the sardine packed beach; some who have already raced and some who were just about to race. It was beginning to become very difficult to navigate through the densely packed shoreline to catch a glimpse of the boats and racers. Pushing our way through the spectator lined beach, the dragons appeared. Trudging through the dirty and littered water it was great to view these dragon boats up close and personal. Now at one time, women were not permitted to go anywhere near a dragon boat until about twenty-five years ago. Women were not even allowed to touch the boat or even walk by the head. Even today, many of the large dragon boat teams still won’t allow women on their boats as a woman’s ‘yin’ unbalances the ‘yang’ of the dragon boat, according to Ah Fat.

I’m not sure if it was the rush I felt from the racers or the excitement from the crowds that made me want to be out there that day pushing myself and my team through the sun drenched water. There is just something alluring thinking you are part of a tradition that dates back over two thousand years while making local history. Interesting and mysterious the aura of the dragon boating culture appears to be, it has definitely peaked my interest so much that I am contemplating signing up for a team for the coming year. Uncertain of what kind of team that I want to be part of, mixed or ladies only, I may have the chance to partake in this exhilarating sport. Of course, I’ll be fully prepared and ready to take on the challenge, in body, in mind and in spirit.

Through Saturday’s drizzle, on my way to Starbucks, I hurry through the sea of umbrellas. I was hoping to get one of those yummy waffles I’ve have been waiting to try at City Super. The doors were still closed shut. I was out of luck. It’s 10:00am and they are still not open. “What’s with that”? I ask myself. Then I think, it’s Hong Kong, nothing is normal or logical here. Then I have a flashback to many nights that I have passed by the hair salon down my street at 11:30 pm. The salon is jammed packed of stylists cutting, coloring and blow-drying hair at this hour of the night. I stop and stare through the window looking strangely at all those heads of hair being tended. I assume that this is the only time that some Hong Kongers are able to schedule in a new do. I think of many reasons for this weird phenomenon that I am witnessing, but I still haven’t come up with anything logical yet. Anyhow, still thinking about something sweet at 10 am this morning I pushed onward down Leighton Rd. I stumble into a backe shop and and snatch my newfound, yummy treat; a baked soft roll filled with coconut. I stuff my breaky treat into my mouth walking quickly down to the coffee shop. Finally I arrive at my destination, Starbucks. I order up a Grande latte with an extra shot and settle myself down with my laptop and cup of comfort. While I am sitting down and typing, Sarah McLachlan’s song Ice Cream is playing in the background and I find my thoughts drifting and wandering into Halifax and all the things I love about that great little city.

I have been able to get some down time to reflect and to tell about the Chinese New Year experience in Hong Kong. I was able to get most of my information from colleagues, magazines, the local paper and some other odds and ends sources I happened to see in places around the city. Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year becomes a very happening and exciting time of year for everyone; especially for us ‘young people’ I am told. One popular tradition is for others give small red packets or Lai See to unmarried people with hopes of uniting us singletons with a mate. The red packet contains cash and is usually presented by a senior family member to the younger, unmarried generation. Another Lunar New Year practice involves the cleaning of homes one week before New Year so that good fortune will fall upon them. Stores, businesses and homes are beautifully decorated with either Kumquat trees, peach blossom, narcissus or chrysanthemum plants too. Being the year of the Pig, a massive display of miniature pigs was in the entrance of Times Square. In the front of Times Square or at ‘The Piazza’ as I refer to it; pigs everywhere, loads of them. So many pigs I could smell bacon! Times Square is this gigantic 10 + story shopping centre with everything imaginable in it. So busy all the time…so many people all the time…craziness is what I call it. According to the Chinese calendar, the pig is the last of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. Supposedly, this is not supposed to be the best year or ‘lucky’ year to be born. In the Chinese Zodiac, you take on the characteristics of the animal associated with the year of your birth, but there are many other influences that determine who you are as well.

Continuing on with Lunar New, it is recommended that you wear red and lots of it and you are supposed to get a new haircut as well. Out with the old and in with the new, goes the saying. Kung Hei Fat Choi! On the first day of Lunar New Year everyone visits relatives and exchanges gifts. On Lunar New Year’s day, I met Sopna a girl with whom I am an acquaintance, at Starbucks for coffee that morning. I couldn’t believe it; the streets were empty! You never see this in Hong Kong, only on Chinese New Year, I guess. Then, later that night, Sopna and I attended the parade in TST or Tsim Sha Tsui. The parade was nice, but I was very disappointed as I had huge expectations for the parade. I was hoping to see massive floats and dragons everywhere, but the dragons came only at the very end of the parade. What a disappointment I felt! On the second day of Lunar New Year, there is a big fireworks display that I was intending on going to. But, for some reason or another, I totally forgot about it and missed all the loud bursts of colored fire. A lot of family owned businesses close down for a whole week, while other businesses closed for only a few days. I had no idea about the massive shutdown in the city. I thought nothing ever closed in Hong Kong, I was wrong. Important business places like banks, food shops and other essential places reopened after a couple of days and back to business as usual.

Many special foods are eaten over the New Year celebrations and they are consumed for their significance and symbolism. Food is usually served whole, like a chicken with it’s head and feet still on (ewww!) as dividing the food may divide luck. Other food that typically eaten during Lunar New Year include: fish, seaweed, dumplings, mandarin oranges, noodles, seeds and cake. My favorites are the dumplings and the cakes, yum-yum the cakes! Since being here, dumplings have been a main staple in my freezer. I cook them up with noodles and veggies curry style or I just savour them alone with some soy-ginger-garlic sauce. Now, for some reason, I have developed an unusual liking to coconut and coconut flavoured foodstuffs. I find myself searching for a lot of food items; perfume or beauty products smelling like coconut. Why????? I dunno. I just developed a liking to coconut. I mentioned earlier that I was eating a soft bakery roll filled with a sugary-coconut filling that I find so satisfying and delicious. I’m not sure why the obsession, but I seemed to have been stalking out the smell and taste of coconut after smelling it first in the street, then having some coconut Ben &Jerry’s ice cream one time out exploring. Then, last week enjoying some fabulous Thai food in SoHo with some great friends at Café Siam, we all ordered up coconut margaritas. The drink was served up in a real coconut and the taste was everything I expected and more! While enjoying my intense coconut elixir, I thought to myself this is what I love about Hong Kong. But other days, the intense feelings of despise and hate about the city overwhelm me. My friend Wendy in Halifax revealed all about the love/hate relationship that she had with living in Asia and she knew what I was experiencing here. Wendy also lived in Asia for awhile but in Japan. Finally, someone I know who gets what I am still feeling in this insane yet exotic city. As the internal, emotional struggle continues in my relationship with Hong Kong, I will close for now, order up another latte and enjoy the interesting sights through the looking glass at Starbucks.

Small video clip at the parade.

To further your interest on Chinese New Year check out this site
http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html

If you would like to contact me, by either email, snai mail or heck, maybe by phone, here it is!

Ronda LeBlanc
Flat G 11/F Grandwaterfront Tower 6
38 San Mau Tau St.
ToKwawan, Kowloon City
Hong Kong

011-852-9158-7983

Well, it has been a couple of weeks since my last entry as things were winding down at school and Chinese New Year was coming up. I was experiencing a bit of burn out already as it will be almost two months come this February 27th. that I will be here. I've decided this time to add a bit of Maritime flavor to my entry as I am always thinking about home and comparing Hong Kong to Nova Scotia or British Columbia. They are completly different of course, but it's just human nature to compare the known with the unknown or the past to the present. There is not a day that passes where I don't think about the family and friends and all that I was used to in Canada. Every time I venture out, there is something that grabs my full attention, immediately, I think of home and compare it to something I know of back east or west of Canada.

To start, I couldn't believe that when I was picking up some special food staples at my one of my favorite, yet yuppy grocery store, I stumble upon Duso's pasta! Oh, my God, I thought. I couldn't believe it! For those of you who don't know, Duso's pasta is a household name in grocery stores in British Columbia. And, speaking of the Duso name, I do have connections with the pasta itself! My dear cousin Sherry, is married to Greg Duso. Greg's family are the operators, and I believe owners of this BC pasta company. I was so excited to discover that I can enjoy some great Duso pasta in Hong Kong. Also, when I was websurfing on some Cape Breton sites, I found some great photo websites featuring our amazing landscapes and beauty. Of course, I bookmarked them all and I visit them now frequently whenever I get lonley and crave for some down home comforts. Since Friday past, I now have permanent internet connection. Now when I open up my web browser, The Front headlines from the Cape Breton Post pop up and I'm able to catch some local news and weather. This was how I found out that Ashley McIssac tied the knot with his partner. Congrats, Ashley! To re-establish my Nova Scotia, British Columbia connection, I have tuned into some radio stations that I would listen to frequently while in NS or BC. In BC it was 99.3 The Fox, 94.5 The Beat and Z 95.3. Now for Halifax, my morning radio station was C100, some easy listening morning music while I got ready for school and while I rode in the car with Tanya on my way to work. Since tuning in to C100 via internet over my holidays, I decided to let the radio know I was an active listener in Halifax and now in Hong Kong. My email was passed along to the breakfast crew and they wanted to contact me by phone so I would speak on their morning show. Next day or evening for me Kelly, Peter and Moya phoned me and I was featured live on the air during their breakfast show. They all asked me what I missed most, I told them it was the people of the eastcost that I miss the most, especially my friends and family who live there.

In Hong Kong, there are more 7/11s that you can shake a stick at! Honestly, how many do you need? What Starbucks are to Vancouver, 7/11 is to Hong Kong; one on every freakin' corner. And while speaking of chain stores, one morning while I was getting a muffin from McDonalds, I sat beside three men enjoying their beer at 7am in the morning! Yes, apparently, you can enjoy your alcoholic beverage anywhere, and you don't even have to conceal it. Also, for those of us who enjoy gourment food and enjoy dining out, you don't even have to go out in Hong Kong to enjoy a fabulous meal. You can call Cusine Courier, a delivery service that will bring you hot, gourmet meals from almost any restaurant of choice, right to your door. Convenient eh? There is something else I noticed in the city here; you can't rent videos or dvds. There is not a video rental shop to be found anywhere yet. I guess the reason to that is you can go on any corner and buy pirated videos cheaper than it is to rent. ???? Maybe, I guess. In my neighbourhood, I have a post office, 2 7/11s, lots of little shops/restaruants, a Japanese restaurant I like to go to, and a little Starbucks. There is everything you need right in my neighbourhood, but when I went out today to find light bulbs, do ya think I could get one? NO. So many obvious comforts that I took for granted are a little hard to come by here. Like, I don't have a dryer to dry my clothes and have to hang them outside on the drying rack or inside my apt, Chinese style! I haven't had toast yet either since I arrived. I really need to buy one as I miss my peanutbutter~jam toasted sandwich and my clothes dryer. Also, believe it or not, I really would love to have a coffee from Tim Hortons and I don't even like Timmy's coffee that much. I have been craving the fresh, salt-water air that the sea gives off when I am trecking to Ingonish, Baddeck or to Crystal Cresent beach outside of Halifax. When I wave watch at my favorite beaches back home I inhale the sea air, I feel it run through my lungs then through my veins.

Now that things are almost back to normal, or somewhat normal, I can attend to the smaller details of Hong Kong. Where as before, I could not even remember what I had to eat that day because I was flooded with so much new information. Now, I'm able to observe more carefully and take note of differences and similarties of Canada and Hong Kong. And yes, there are similarties between the two...one being a couple dominated city! Love and companionship is really universal as I see many couples holding hands and a public display of affection here and there too. Also, I've noticed that people here love to shop, shop, shop! Whoa...and people have the money to buy the good stuff....Prada, Gucci, Chanel, you name it -they can buy it. In weeks to come, do stay tuned on a future feature, shopping in HK -this should be a popular one for all my female readers!

But, while I observe and take note of all these unique things about Hong Kong, I still think about all of the things I love about Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and BC. I'm already planning where I'll be going in Cape Breton when I return home on July 14. I am so excited thinking about all of the places I will visit, one of them being Halifax. I will probably visit there for two days seeing my pals and visiting my favorite places in the small yet great city. Then off to CB! Of course, I think my first stop will be to get some Lick-a-Chick chicken, donairs, and some Alexander Keiths beer. And, of course, a trip to Ingonish for a few days to see my friends there and also, to make a visit to my old stomping grounds, the Keltic Lodge! I'm getting so excited already as I listen to my Jimmy Rankin cd as I type! The rest of my time will be spent with my mom, BBQing and visiting friends and the rest of my family who are still there. Well, that about wraps up my blog for now telling you all about my cravings from Canada. My next entry will be on Chinese New Year and what went on in the city during my holiday. For my trip back home, I'm already counting down, only four months and 22 days to go....

Take care all!

Listening to my new Oriental Lounge CDs I sit and type. It's Sunday, Februay 4th, and I'm thinking what I'm going to do first today. Yesterday, I worked all day at school observing and choosing the next new group of one year olds for the August 2007/2008 playgroup class at my school. Very tired and haggered, I go through my checklist quickly and carefully. Us teachers, had the pleasure or should I say, the dreaded task of trying to select 50 children out of a pool of 500 wonderful and beautiful boys and girls in order to fill the spots for the August playgroup class. Pleasant, it was not! Challenging, difficult and unfair it was. But, I save this story for another entry as for the coming weeks, as I hope to feature a blog on schools and the culture of education here in Hong Kong. A teacher by the name of Winnie, who is a local native of Hong Kong but grew up in California has offered to help me information about the world of competitive education here. Winne is another english teacher with whom I work and together we will talk and discuss education and schools in Hong Kong; she will be a wealth of information to me and my blog!

As time is passing, I am begining to appreciate and I am being able to see the beauty in Hong Kong that the city has to offer. Last weekend, my roomate Lauren and I went and visited Hong Kong Park in the area of Central. In Central, and in Hong Kong, there are many trendy pockets of activity and culture going on, you can only end up discovering them when you are out and about exploring on that particular day. A beatiful park is located in the heart of this Asian mecca, offering many garden delights. Every time I go out to shop, sight see or on my way to work, I notice something different or unique about this place I am now calling my place of residence. For instance, I am still amazed and do not understand the idea of the bamboo scaffolding that surrounds a building being constructed. We have metal scaffolding to support workers who are building high rises. The chinese have trees, supporting themselves, hundreds of feet in the air.....how is that possible, I think.

Usually on my way to work, I make the effort to leave enough time to walk through a section of another park in the city. In this park, you are able to see many people early in the morning practicing Tai Chi; a very soothing, relaxing way to kickstart my morning. And get this, there are even doggy-doo containers attached to poles at random street corners so that you don't have to carry around your puppy's poo around while you stroll around the cityt. Now, on my way home from work, I always take note of the working class in Hong Kong. Alot of the working men and women are extreemly well groomed and often display the elements and practices of Feng Shui right down to their dress. Black, Black and more Black....a sea of blackness in color for clothing worn by Hong Kongers. Also, Clean lines, minimalist design in fashion, haircuts, and make-up; a very good flow of energy going on in appearances, so I seem to think so. And of course, only the best of the best; Fendi, Versace, Louis V, Chanel and too many other designers to mention. Alot of the well-to-do people reek of money and display it rather loudly as they hurry down the street.

I've noticed that the cars in Hong Kong are either Toyota, BMW or Benz. Toyota seems to dominate as the car of choice, but BMW and a M.Benz follow closely in the lead. Again, only the best of the best I thought even when it comes to the vehicles, as I passed by a Bentley car dealership on my way to find a Body Shop cosmetic store in the city's downtown.
Well, I think I've painted a vague outline of a city sounding a little like New York in the US. Yes, it has the components of a cosmopolitan city, but with an oriental flavor that is beginning to be savored by my palate each day.

Well, in about two weeks everyone, it will be Chinese New Year and I have eleven days vacation time. Most english teachers take this time to travel and relax. Myself, I will not travel this vacation time, I will enjoy my first ever Chinese New Year in the city, exploring and relaxing. So, until next week, keep well and stay happy! Thinking of you all!

By your local expat, Ronda

P.S. So sorry folks, but Pictures were hard to load this time. Check back soon for more photos of Hong Kong Park!

It's been one month today and I can still remember the smell of incense hit me in the throat as I dragged my three heavy bags up five flights of stairs at 408 Lockhart Rd. No evevator, no help, just me and the sacks. It was Saturday and I was so glad to leave the small and cramped hotel room and head to my new home and start unpacking my life from those three bags. My roomate was still in Thailand when I arrived at the aptment, so I unpacked as fast as I could so I could get settled in right away. Most of my afternoon was spend placing things away and investigating my new home or shall I say compact house in a box. Lots of new reneovations and very clean, but very space conscience compared to your average two bedroom, Canadian apartment standard. My bedroom or where I sleep can be compared to a celebrity clothing closet and I can probably take three large hops and be at the other end of my apartment. I'm conviently located in the latter end of Wan Chai and so close to the Causeway Bay shopping district. Wan Chai is a very unique area but the noise sometimes is hard to ingore, especially the annoying taxi drivers that honk their horn like obsessive compulsives every night right outside my roomates bedroom window. Yes, it is tres busy. Lauren (my roomie gal from NS) and I are only about two blocks from Causeway Bay, a mega size sprall of endless clothes shopping, cell phone shops and eateries. Oh, did I mention shops; yes, there are many hardware shops. If you are ever in need of some new toilets, or taps, just walk down the stairs of my apartment, turn either right or left and you can have your choice of any style, any shape, any size toilet you want. My friend Andrew, says we live in the toilet district and before coming here I figured he was refering to the smell, but no, he was being serious. There are many, many toilet shops which one can shop! A real plumbers dream!

Most of my first week was spent trying to settle in and taking in all of the novel things in my environment. There are still many undiscovered nooks in my immediate and distant surroundings, but as time goes on, I eventually get around to scoping things out. Hong Kong offers a variety of interesting sensory stimulants when walking about. For instance, the huge variety of smells. Just an aside though about the air here, the air quality in Hong Kong is total crap and it's starting to show in the skin on my face. Walking down the street, the smell of sewer is very strong and prevalent. And some of the street food smells passing by the dia pai dongs (mini food stalls or back room eateries) reek with the most rank and sour smell. I later found out what the odd looking things are boiling away all day in those wok-looking pots and surprise, surprise, it's animal innards! Yay! Gee, I love that smell, NOT! Anyway, the waves of sewer smells or the whiff of animal innards, hit you like the ocean swells rolling in from sea; one right after the other, crashing into you every 30 seconds with not much of a break in between sets. If it's not the smells that slam you in the face, it's the hoards of people that will plow you over while trying to cross a busy intersection or street corner. I have never witnessed crowds of people like the ones I experience coming home from work crossing Canal Rd. East to Hennesey Rd. during rush hour or on Sundays. Sunday's have to be the worst for packs of people. The Phillipino Amah's (nanny/housekeepers) who employed by some of the more prosperous people in Hong Kong, are given Sunday's off as their day of rest. Some of the places on Hong Kong Island are the most densley populated in the world and I can say for certain, I agree.

Now, for my place of work, well I would like to save that for another entry at a later date. I will explain my place of work or Victoria International Kindergarden perhaps on my second or third entry, so stay tuned.

Apart from the cultural adjustment, I have been experiencing some emotional challenges and shocks that I never dreamed of going through all over again. Missing my family and some friends brings back vivid memories of my very first time away from home, in Halifax during my first year of university. But, good news, my emotional and psychological state have been subdued the past week and a half after I had time to process all that smacked me in the face since my arrival.

The past two weekends, I have been going to the huge Starbucks located on Leighton Rd. to re-establish my morning coffee/paper/people-watching ritual that I enjoy so and have done many times in Halifax at Uncommon Grounds on SouthPark St. or at the Trident bookstore/coffee shop on Hollis St. It's a great coffee shop to relax, see other westeners and also to take in a bit of Hong Kong community flavor. But, as I go exploring more and more each day, I am stumbling on more coffee shop/ cafe's where I thing I will enjoy my weekend coffee just as much.

Hong Kong still carries on with a British way and clearly displays it's former British presence from the road designs and the cars HKers drive. It's bizarre the number of one way streets in the city. Most times you have to drive around in so many circles to get from point a to point b, and the drivers, did I mention the drivers???? Horrible! I recommend taking gravol before entering a cab or on the public transit busses. Aside from the wierd and bizarre things I see in the city, there are a couple of beautiful parks within the city itself and some of the most exotic greenery and flowers on display. I find peace and solace in these parks as the thoughts of nature and planting bring me back to my plants and flowers I have nurtured back at my mom's place in Cape Breton.

Currently, it's about 9:20 on Friday evening and I am in my jammies with a sore throat. This fast, go-go lifestyle and settling in is starting to catch up with me. A couple of early sleeps and some relaxation time this weekend should help remedy the exhaustion I have been experiencing since I left Vancouver. I still have many, many more details and excursions to share. I'm hoping to share at least one blog entry a week with you explaining some of the feelings, perceptions, and outings that I have been experiencing in Hong Kong. So check back on Sundays, and hopefully, I'll have more news and information posted and let me know what you think. Hope you all enjoy!

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