Well it has been five weeks since I touched down in Hong Kong and I feel it is time to update you all on what has been happening. I have set up this blog with the hope that when Donna arrives she will take it over and provide updates on a regular basis. Her writing ability far exceeds mine. So watch this space.
Where to start? At the beginning I suppose. I had the first week in a hotel room not far from the new school. It was nice and comfortable and extremely convenient for the first week that I was here. Which was good because although the sights and sounds of Asia are not unfamiliar to me, there was the need for a certain amount of adjustment. Smells, noises and other cultural quirks which now seem completely normal were in the first few days quite noticeable. Top of the list of barriers to “normal” living is the language difference. Many Hong Kongers have good English - but not all. In the first weekend that I was here I was invited by a ‘friend of a friend’ to lunch. This was in an area that could be best described as “local”. It was an hour travel by train to a place called Tai Po. Then I decided to brave the local minibuses. Bad move. I ended up at the terminus of one bus route with the driver looking at me saying, “Out, out.” Yeah, well I didn’t have the foggiest idea where I was and it didn’t look remotely like the area I was told to go to. Anyway, the driver plus two others looked for someone who could speak English. Meanwhile I slowly curled up into a ball chanting the only words that I knew in Cantonese - “Tai Wo tin chu m’goie.” This means “Take me to Tai Wo Bridge, please.” Eventually, I was bundled onto another minibus where three people provided translation services until I finally arrived at my destination. It will be a taxi next time!
I was given the chance to go and check out the Hong Kong “country-side” by a colleague at work who has a self contained flat under her house. So week two saw me heading to rural Hong Kong. Many expats live in this area which is known as Sai Kung. It was nice to get out for some runs in the clear(er) air. As well as loads of expats there are copious numbers of dogs in Sai Kung. In the afternoon Filipino helpers can be seen with two or three dogs “being walked” (not taking them for a walk) up and down the road from one end of the town to the other.
From Sai Kung I made the pilgrimage to Yau Mau Tei. Where I am currently staying with a friend called Lee. Lee is probably best described as Church Pastor. But he wouldn’t want that title. He works in the Kowloon Vineyard Church doing all number of things. His apartment is spacious and it is a great launching point for me to scope out flats in Hong Kong for our family. The location of Lee’s flat is unreal (see the photos). My room overlooks Nathan Rd (the busiest street in Hong Kong). There are two huge neon signs either side of my window and earplugs are essential. The great thing is that it is easy to save power by turning off the lights and opening the curtains.
So the first few weeks flew by and last weekend was a fleeting visit back to New Zealand for less than four days. It was great though. Kissing and cuddling Donna and the kids, reading the kiddies books, teaming up to mow the lawns with Noah, seeing my mum, Lisa, Connor, Charlotte and Si. Fun times.
Since being back it has been more serious flat hunting. I don’t even want to talk about it right now because I have been hard at it all day today. School folk are really helpful though and everyone seems to be keen to lend a hand where they can.
Oh nearly forgot to mention last night. BBQ for all New Zealand teachers at a family from school’s apartment. It is an annual event and one that certainly needs encouraging. Apart from the lovely apartment there were NZers everywhere so it was good value. Rugby talk, more rugby talk, steak, sausages, more steak and sausages. Good times!
So that is a little insight into my time here so far. I am back in New Zealand at Easter (so that is just 12 days from now), which I am sooooo excited about. Although talking to the family most days on Skype is great I miss them heaps. Please drop me a line if you can.
Paul
Room with a 'different' view - from the Hotel
...and my current accommodation.
Ocean Park - Year 3 Field Trip
...someones got to do it!
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