The highs and lows of Hong Kong

So we decided yesterday that we will teach our daughter proper English and how to not start sentences with 'so.' a little early morning Hong Kong humor.

Sorry we are watching a classic movie about love, marriage, and competing careers..."Mr. and Mrs. Smith"

Anyway that is not what you care about, is it?

Yesterday we took another nice ride across to Hong Kong Island on the Star Ferry. After a stroll through Central, we had to follow a nice man from South Africa who has two adopted boys from China (now 19 and 20)to get us back on the right path.

His directions took us right to the tram to the top of Victoria Peak. The ride was really fun, especially when we were at a 45 degree incline and the buildings were all at an odd angle (okay, Phil found it was really cool...Ann kept thinking of the angle of repose and geomorphology).

The view from the top was spectacular. Well actually, the viewing deck is not at the highest point, there are houses at least a 100 meters further up the slope. Ann the planner notes that once Hong Kong ran low on developable land, they started to build on the Peak before they created new land by dredging and filling (like they do in New York and Chicago). Okay, that is enough of an urban planning lesson for now.

We strolled down one of the paths for a bit, then checked out the view from the Lions Gate (which was actually built for the Lions Club...yes, that one). Okay, we have officially been married too long...Ann is finishing these sentences for me as I type since I am speaking the words outloud as I type.

After we got down from the Peak, we were walking to the MTR (Hong Kong subway) when we spotted a sign for an exhibit called "Hong Kong Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery". Of course both of us being urban planning geeks (Ann formally trained), we had to visit. Afterward we headed back to Kowloon since Phil really wanted to get to the Hong Kong Space Museum.

Instead, we started off with a walk through Kowloon Park and then went back to the hotel to rest for a bit. Then, we walked down to SOGO the really cool department store that was having their 18th anniversary sale (guess who wanted to go...note we had still not gotten to the Space Museum). Anyway Ann bought a really cool coat and sweater and scarf.

Then we finally got to the SpaceMuseum, which Ann insists I mention was open until 9pm. It was very cool, including a gyroscope chair and a manned maneuvering unit chair.

Then we finally went to get dinner. It was not really that bad--okay Ann insists it was. We went to go to this Italian place Phil had passed by the other night, but since there was a 30 min wait, we ended up at the bakery next door. Thus ended our run of good meals.

Let's see, we asked them to take away the tap water they served lest we accidentally drink it (most natives don't drink the tap water here in China). Then the waiter could not understand that we wanted the soup, bread, and tea, to go with the pizza that Phil wanted, so we both got the pizza and the honey ginger tea. That should be "pizza" since it was rather tasteless and not made with pizza dough. At least the tea was good, even if it was served in a French press. Ann says the food on United Airlines was better.

One more full day in Hong Kong (we are planning to go to the markets in Stanley on the south side of Hong Kong Island after breakfast) and then off to Guangzhou tomorrow to meet Maya.

Gooooood morning, Hooooong Koooooong (and America too)

Greetings and salut-- okay Ann sez get to the point. How is everyone this fine morning? We're adjusting to the time change slower than we'd hoped. Getting super tired about 7 pm our time (5 am your time) and then getting up about 10 pm for dinner.

So, not only did we see Ann's cousin Scott's tailor here in Hong Kong on Wednesday, he actually took us out to lunch on Thursday after pair fittings! When we walked to the restaurant (taking two escalators to get there as well), we passed both an Outback and a TGI Fridays. For a moment we both thought "we're Americans so he thinks we want to go to an American restaurant." Fortunately, we bypassed both and went to a Chinese restaurant were we were the only two non-Chinese people there. The food was great but since it felt like it was late late at night for us, we could not finish all the delicious food. BTW Phil is getting two suits and two shirts and Ann is getting a dress copied.

Also on Wednesday we had a nice lunch with Ann's cousin Scott's charming friend Josephine who lives part of the year in HK. (Despite our best efforts to treat this kind people to a meal, today will be the first lunch we have had to pay for).

So far bottled water and no ice has worked for both of us. We are also glad that English is a primary language here for most signs and many people. So far we have barely had to inflict our Chinese on other people.

Today, we are heading up to Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island (there is a tram) and then hopefully finally to the Space Museum (you can guess on whose to-do list that one is on). To save you a Google search, the Peak is 552 meters (1811 feet) high.

But what you really want is pictures so here you go:

Hello from the other side of the world

We got up a 4 am to dress and final preparations. My dad showed up at 5:45 and drove us to Dulles. Two and a half hours to Chicago, and now we are on the longest leg of the flight. I cannot say that I am any more of a fan of flying than I was before, but the larger the plane the smoother the ride. United Airlines food is of course airplane food (I'm pretty sure that Virgin Atlantic or Korean Air has better food), but thus far the staff has been very polite and helpful. I took a short walk around the plane and stretched to avoid problems later. The gentleman to the left of me is a very nice guy from Vietnam, who is goi g home tom see his parents. our conversation reminded me as to why people come to the US from all over the world (including my family) to live and work. The old motto, if you work hard you can have a good life.

Warning Whine Time: I just made another lap around the cabin and It's now almost 7 pm est.....boy this flight takes forever. I keep asking Phil "are we there yet?". To my horror, Phil figured that we have about 11 hours left. It got dark....and now its morning again. Ok...Phil figured out there are still about 7 hours left (10:24pm est) Good morning Russia, I still hate flying....and I've been unable to sleep.......because I'm on a plane.

On the bright side, I read The Night Circus. Good book, husband suggested he may be insane... I agree.

Think I might have slept for 90 min total out of our 15 plus hour flight from Chicago to Hong Kong. I don't know how Phil can sleep for at least half the trip.

Ok, we made it to the hotel finally (ok we've been here a couple of hours now). We must have had Hong Kong's most psycho cab driver. He was passing all of the other cabs at at least 15 kph over the speed limit in the rain particularly when he spotted the 'slow down - slippery when wet'. As a positive counterpoint Phil notes that we saved about $HKD by getting to the hotel quicker. One helpful tip for travelers to the Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Hong Kong -- you have to leave your room key in the slot by the door to keep the lights on. Just trying to save you from groping in the dark for the flashlight app on your iPhone. Speaking of which Phil had to jury-rig two adaptor sets and his netbook to charge my Precious....I mean my iPhone. The iPad is next.

Good night all! (well, good morning for you all)

Perhaps not a world of difference, but...

AKA out of the mouth of children.  Last night, one of our best friends visited with his two adopted children, 9 and 7.  Not only did they bring the curtains for Maya's room that their mom made for us, but got some great advice from a nine-year-old on what adoption, bonding, and adjustment are like from the perspective of the adoptive child.  A little different point-of-view from a toddler, but it's likely to be more difficult to have such a cognizant conversation with a 2-year-old.

34 hours and counting until we're on the plane to Hong Kong.  Wait, gotta turn the clocks back at 2:00 am tomorrow...whew, 35 hours!

Visas and Meds...Check!

Got the visas!  In and out in 5 minutes, no problems at all.  Had plenty of time for lunch and to get back to the office.  Hmmm, maybe it should have taken longer...

Tonight, we got all sorts of kid medicines just in case.  I hope the Chinese don't think we're starting an import business.

You have to get there to get there

So'kay, to go to China you need to get a Visa (they just don't take American Express).  Here are the steps to get a Visa (okay, my steps...your mileage may vary).

1. Learn that you have to get a Visa
2. Get all the paperwork you need to get the Visa
3. Get stressed out at all the paperwork you need to complete to get the Visa
4. Procrastinate (see step 3)
5. Contact a courier service who handles Visas for China (recommended by our agency) to learn exactly how you have to complete the forms
6. Complete the forms (and find out it's easier than you thought)
7. Get all the other papers you need to go with the forms (a copy of China's approval of our adoption, our passport photos, etc.)
8. Find out where the Chinese Embassy is (3505 International Drive, Washington, DC, in case you were wondering)
9. Tell the boss I'll be back about 2 pm (giving myself a cushion since it's 11 am). 
10. Take Metro from Bethesda to Van Ness (recommended only if you work or play in Bethesda...if you live in say San Diego, YMMV).
11. Take Westie Rescue call on walk to Chinese Embassy.
12. Arrive at Chinese Embassy.
13. Learn that you really need to go to the Chinese Embassy's Visa Office, which is conveniently NOT at 3505 International Drive, Washington, DC.
14. Use smart phone (yes, Ann, it is a smart phone or at least it's smarter than I am) to look up 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington, DC.
15. Sigh and appreciate the exercise.
16. Start Walking
17. Turn around and go back to the Chinese Embassy because you remember they have a phone number for the Visa office on the plaque.
18. Get phone number and call.
19. Let it ring.  Over 20 times.  Twice.  With no answer.
20. Walk from Point B to Point C (see map).
21. Arrive at Visa office at 12:45 pm.
22. Find out the plaque at the Chinese Embassy missed a little piece of information when it said the Visa office was open from 10 am to 3 pm Monday - Friday:  It's closed from 12:30 - 1:30 pm Monday - Friday.
23. Go to Bruegger's Bagels for lunch (highly recommended!)
24. Walk back to Visa office and get in line
25. Go through metal detector, dropping all the junk I keep in my pockets and temporarily surrendering my pocket knife...at least I didn't have to take my shoes off.
26. Get number (689) and look at number board (637).
27. Wait
28. Wait
29. Get bored checking personal and work cell phones
30. Wait
31. Worry that our photos are two small, that I messed up something on the form, that someone is bothered by the smell of the Everything bagels I got from Brueggers for Ann and I.
32. Wait
33. Get more nervous when 688 comes up on the board.
34. Leap up when 689 comes up
35. Go to Window.  Forget to say "Ni Hao."  Mumble "Good afternoon."  Stupid American.
36. Get nervous every time the nice young Chinese lady says something about something.
37. Get receipt to pick up Visas.  No problems with forms or photos.
38. Pick up pocket knife on way out of Visa office.
39. Walk from Visa Office to Woodley-Park/Zoo metro (the bus would have taken just as long to go all the way up Wisconsin Ave and as for a taxi, where do you think I am, New York?)
40. Arrive at Woodley-Park/Zoo metro
41. Return to Bethesda and get back to the office at 3:30 pm
42. Explain to boss why I am 90 minutes late (don't worry, he's cool).
43. Stay until 7 pm making up most of the time.
44. Plan to go back on Thursday to pick up the Visas.

A nice loooong stroll around some beautiful DC neighborhoods

An Expected Journey

Hello family & friends,

As we hope you know, we are traveling to China in about two weeks to adopt our daughter, Mi Rou, who we will name Maya. As we can, we plan to update the blog regularly while we are there and post pictures. And, of course, your comments and support is always appreciated.

Thanks,

Phil & Ann