We don't even need our selfie sticks for every single person to know we aren't locals (even though our Visas claim we are residents, we act otherwise.) Asia is a very homogenous place, and the international kids are very noticeable--even when we aren't being extremely loud or marching around in massive packs. One of my favorite things about this particular abroad program is that there are so many international students (around 300 this semester). Everyone is so eager to explore the city, try new things and meet new people and we all genuinely have so much fun together. We are all just as lost and confused as the next international student (some of us are just better at reading maps). Eventually we will get the hang of the MTR and bus systems and blend right in but for now we are the kids stopping in the middle of the MTR station and turning around because we realized we went the wrong way. We are also the kids who got off at a bus stop, realized we had no idea where we were, knocked on the bus door and got back on. Usually on Fridays and Saturdays groups of exchange students will organize activities (hikes, dinners, nights out). There is nothing more fun then a huge group of exchange students meeting in the lobby and marching off to explore the city. I think that some of the locals who hope for a peaceful commute home would disagree with that statement, but we always enjoy ourselves. We bond over the strenuous hikes, compare American and British phrases and make so many memories. I truly couldn't have wished for a better group of people to be here with. My new friends put up with me taking forever to set up my selfie stick, make sure I don't fall off of cliffs on the hikes and tease me just like my friends from home do (maybe even more). Here are the most recent updates for you all:
- This weekend a group of about 20 exchange students met up to hike Dragon's Back. I completed the 2.5 hour hike (take that Big Buddha) and didn't run out of breath or water. The views were absolutely beautiful and indescribable. We hiked up to the tops of mountains overlooking the ocean and little towns and then back down, leading us to Big Wave Beach. Even though the water was too cold for my Florida blood, it was so relaxing.
- Remember when I said I fell in love in Mon Kok-the ladies' market? Well, I cheated on Mon Kok with Stanley Market and I love it more. Stanley Markets is at the edge of HK on a beach complete with rocks and boats and has an incredible view, authentic jewelry/clothing/souvenirs, and American cuisine.
- A group of exchange students (probably 30) went to a place called Mr. Wong's a few nights back. If you ask locals about Mr. Wong's they will give you disgusted looks and ask why we want to go. I can completely understand why. Mr. Wong's is an all-you-can-eat/all-you-can-drink (mmm-warm, cheap beer) restaurant located in Mon Kok. We sat outside at a row of long folding tables on sticky chairs surrounded by crates and hanging bedsheets to section off the area. The company was great and the spring rolls weren't horrible but I have absolutely no idea what the meat was and I don't really want to know. On the plus side, I am slowly winning my battle with chopsticks.
- I've also been experiencing nightlife through nights at LKF (which is a section of the city filled with clubs), Wan Chai (the part of the city specializing in ladies' nights) and a weekly pub crawl which have been very fun.
This picture was taken on my selfie stick (surprise, surprise) halfway up the mountain on the first half of our hike up Dragon's Back. I love how happy this place and these people make me feel. We are blocking the scenery but the view was absolutely gorgeous. I literally felt on top of the world.