February Already?!?!?!

This post was written at two different times.  I didn't get around to adding pictures last weekend - sorry! How about a picture of a sunset over the Peak (taken from a bus) to make it better?

Sunset over The Peak

Saturday, February 2, 2013
It is hard to believe that it is already February (especially when the sun is shining and its 77 degrees Fahrenheit outside).  One thing that we have noticed here in Hong Kong is that people tend to dress for the season and not always for the weather.  For example, it was a beautifully sunny and warm day at some point this week and I had a tank top and shorts on for my walk.  I got about a bajillion strange stares from people on the promenade along the river as they were bundled up in winter coats, scarves, and lots of layers.  Even the runners had on double layers on either the top or the bottom half.  I am wondering when the outfits will start to reflect the air temperature...  I am doing my best to not get too acclimated to get ready for the North Dakota winters that are ahead :)  I'll just continue to be the crazy one in a tank top and shorts in February.

Life has been a little bit more low key this past week.  We have been busy planning trips, finalizing some details and purchasing tickets!  We have our ticket home to the US (June 22nd) and before that a quick trip up to Beijing to see the Great Wall and some of our former students at the beginning of their tour through China.  We have also been watching episodes of Star Trek the Next Generation and it has brought back many childhood memories for the both of us :)  Today we went on a hike (3.5 hours ish) on a trail near us and it was beautiful!  I wish the weather was as clear as yesterday, but unfortunately today turned cloudy and colder once again.  I'll post some pics later on.

We also were able to check out the flower market and the bird market in Kowloon.

Kumquat Decorations for the New Year

A Macaw

In other news, we hosted one of Tim's former roommates and a friend for about a week (when I was in the middle of rehearsal craziness for the HK Chamber Orchestra concert).  They were quite the adventuresome duo and Tim would catch up with them as soon as he was done with school for the day.  They even convinced Tim to try snake soup.  It is supposed to keep you warm in this super cold weather we have (that was intense sarcasm - the lowest it has been is about 40 degrees F).  They found it by going to an area that they thought might have snake soup and when pantomiming snake didn't work, they typed it into google translator and they were sent in the right direction.

What else is going on here...  Chinese New Year is coming up!  Apparently festivities start this week with Lunar New Year fairs.  I am so excited to run around and experience it and take lots of pics :)  There are red and gold lanterns hanging everywhere and lots of sweets in stores to buy to give to people.  Apparently on Friday (the day before our week long break for the New Year), all of the students here dress up in traditional dress.  I am really looking forward to that!

Decoration in the MTR Station

Chocolates to give for the New Year

Butter Cookies for New Year Gifts

Decorations at a local Mall for the New Year

Decoration at school

Decorations at another local mall

How to celebrate at McDonalds

Saturday, February 9, 2013

In the Mountains

You can see some housing estates behind us

We started out this week taking a hike in the mountains right behind the school.  It was absolutely beautiful!  We were able to find the Maclehose trail and hike some of it.  The hardest part was getting there up the crazy steep steps.  Once you are on the trail - it was relatively easy going.

This past week was filled with lots of excitement at school.  Our students were filled with lots of anticipation for the week to end because of the week off of school that started today.  Traditionally the Lunar New Year is a time to go visit all of your extended relatives.  Kids receive Lai See packets with money from any relative that is older and married and there is a lot of festive food and celebrations going on.  I think you could easily compare it to the excitement of getting ready for Christmas in the US.  Gifts that are given generally tend to be sweets (hence the chocolates and butter cookie pictures from earlier on).  Gold things and things that are round also tend to be quite popular too (we think because they look kind of like the moon).

On Wednesday we had a traditional meal for lunch (well maybe not the Capri Sun, but the rest of it is)

Fish, Ham and Mushroom with rice and veggies, Fish Maw in Chicken Broth Soup and a Dim Sum Sesame Puff

On Thursday and Friday we had cultural dress up days at school.  I went with some coworkers after school and picked up a fun jacket :)

I got 2 dumplings from students on Friday :)  They were delicious :)

 On Friday night we headed to the Lunar New Year Market in Victoria Park.  It was a crazy busy place that reminded us of the Minnesota State Fair :)  When you enter the park you are greeted with a GIANT McDull display.  McDull is a HK cartoon character that is pretty funny. ;)

McDull Balloons and spinners for sale

Today we each got our 1/2 marathon training (9 miles for me and 11 for Tim) in and then headed to IFC mall for dinner.  We got to hang out with the pandas there :)

We are planning on going to the parade tomorrow and the fireworks on Monday.  More updates and pics to come after the New Year!

Gung hay fat choy to you all! (that is Cantonese for Happy New Year) :)  The year of the snake starts tomorrow!