Update from the Baumanns! (written on Monday, August 20th)

As I sit down to write this blog, I am thinking of all of the fun things that have been going on here in Hong Kong over the past week and I am thankful that we can be here to experience them.  This has been an amazing adventure that has been filled with lots of new experiences, lots of "different" experiences, and lots of wonderful caring people in our lives.

The highlight of the past week was...the TYPHOON!!!!!  It sounds much more exotic and cool to say than it actually was, but heck, how many people can say they have lived through a...TYPHOON!!!!!!  The Hong Kong Weather Observatory rates typhoons (big rain storms with lots of wind for our American friends) on a scale from T1-T10.  T1 means that there is a typhoon in the Pacific that is approaching land.  T10 means "in case you have not figured it out by now, we are in the middle of a typhoon and you had better take cover."  Our Thursday was spent at T3 and just before we went to bed, the level was elevated to a T8.  T3 is the level when the Kindergarten school is cancelled and T8 is the level where school is cancelled for all the other kids.  Then in the morning the T8 was moved back to a T3 at about 6:30am, meaning that school was on and our first official "Typhoon Day" would have to wait until later.  Christine's epic Weather Channel video was postponed.

Other adventures of the week:

Llama sign, Lamma Store

1)  The island of Lamma-  The island of Lamma is just a ferry ride away to the southwest of Hong Kong Island.  It is pronounced just the North American "llama", and just like it's cousin, the doubled consonant is completely useless.  The island is known for having no vehicles.  We ferried in with good friends, shared delicious fresh seafood at one of the many seafood restaurants, and then hiked a 4km trek across the island.  The hike was hot and steep, but the beach at the end was well worth the toils:)  From there it was a ferry ride back to the island.

Fresh Sweet and Sour Shrimp

View in Lamma village

Lamma hiking path

You have no idea how sweaty we were in this picture:)

First day!!

2)  We made it through our first week of school-  Both Christine and I are now expected to know exactly what we are doing in our new school.  The training wheels are officially off.  We both love our new students and faculty while at the same time missing our former students and colleagues.  We hope they are all doing well as they get ready to start their upcoming school year.

Victoria Park Archway

3)  Hip-hop Dance Class-  You read that correctly.  On Saturday we went to a free hip-hop dance class held at a store on the island.  We both pushed each other to take the class because as Eleanor Roosevelt once said "We must do one thing a day that scares us."  Well, consider us scared:) (or maybe scary...)  We fought aggressively for our spot at the back of the store and were thankful that there were no mirrors and then we channeled our best Justin Bieber and danced our hearts out.  At least it was a good workout and it took us right next to Victoria Park, the giant public park with all sorts of beautiful walking trails!

4)  Wonderful transit system-  I am continually amazed at the mass transit system in Hong Kong.  It is clean, efficient, orderly, and fun all at the same time.  The only tradeoff is that you must become ok with the idea of having someone's face in your armpit due to the high density of people running at specific times.

Christine has even learned the Asian photo symbol:)

Tim is a little bit tall...

5) Angry Birds and "Spongey"-  Angry Birds and "Spongey" (Sponge Bob Square Pants) are all the rage here.  Malls have huge set ups of each and nobody can seem to get enough pictures, poses, and memorabilia.

6)  Fresh fruit and vegetables all the time for very reasonable prices- Enough said.

That is all from here.  Grocery shopping is up next on the evening docket.  Hugs to all.  Please know that we are thinking of you all!

Love,
Tim and Christine

Sunset over Hong Kong Harbour