Sunday, May 20, 2007
Pictures from Ambassador's Ball, BBQs, and life on the ship!http://sandiego.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2036727&l=9e1e5&id=24502700
Two days have passed since I have stepped off the Explorer and I have experienced almost every emotion possible. I am elated to see my family. I am terribly sad that I had to say good bye to my new friends, the only people who will be able to know how I feel. They are some of the most beautiful and amazing individuals and together we made a community aboard the ship which will never be matched. There is hope that we will meet again. Many of us have already talked about meeting up and others will be encountered by chance.
I am now at the San Diego airport waiting to fly to Minnesota. I am excited to see my family; there is no doubt about that. I am trying so hard to understand why though I feel like I am unable to move. I can’t tell if I want to smile or cry. Driving to the airport we passed the harbor. When I looked at the ship, I knew that it is no longer my physical home. Tears stung my eyes. Yet, I am grateful for all she gave me. She was my home, my refuge, and a part of me will always be aboard the Explorer. I can’t wait to sail with her again.
I don’t want to let go of the ship and the fact that my voyage has come to an end. However, I am looking forward to what lies before me. The future is unknown but I have faith that there will be more adventures, lessons, and challenges. Above all, I believe that this experience will never end. The past 100 days will last 100 years. I will cherish them and hold them ever so close to my heart. My thoughts will be consumed with everything that I have seen and done. I will learn from this for years to come. So with that I know that this is not the end. This is another beginning…
I am now at the San Diego airport waiting to fly to Minnesota. I am excited to see my family; there is no doubt about that. I am trying so hard to understand why though I feel like I am unable to move. I can’t tell if I want to smile or cry. Driving to the airport we passed the harbor. When I looked at the ship, I knew that it is no longer my physical home. Tears stung my eyes. Yet, I am grateful for all she gave me. She was my home, my refuge, and a part of me will always be aboard the Explorer. I can’t wait to sail with her again.
I don’t want to let go of the ship and the fact that my voyage has come to an end. However, I am looking forward to what lies before me. The future is unknown but I have faith that there will be more adventures, lessons, and challenges. Above all, I believe that this experience will never end. The past 100 days will last 100 years. I will cherish them and hold them ever so close to my heart. My thoughts will be consumed with everything that I have seen and done. I will learn from this for years to come. So with that I know that this is not the end. This is another beginning…
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The best is yet to come...
I remember posting my first entry on this blog as if it was yesterday. It really wasn’t that long ago but so much has happened since then. I have been to nine countries, four continents, and three oceans. I danced in the streets of Brazil during the biggest party in the world, Carnaval. I climbed the Great Wall of China and have been touched by so many kind and welcoming people in every country. So much has been given to me from this experience. I have learned about each country’s history and have seen what is occurring now. By being immersed into other cultures I have learned more about my own as well as who I am as a person and my purpose in life.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt
From the first time that I read this quote, I was inspired and motivated to truly understand what it means. I wanted to be able to read these words and say, yes, the purpose of life is to live it…to the fullest, every moment of every day.
In order to do this, I knew that something in me would have to change. I wanted to be different. I wanted to have a new perspective on life and the world. How this would happen, I had no idea. One of the reoccurring themes on this voyage is to see things with new lenses, not just seeing things how I want to perceive them. The goal is to not just see the people and the landscapes but to acquire new eyes in which to see them as they truly are.
I am no longer a tourist. I have transformed into a traveler. As a traveler I long to experience new things, meet new people, and learn from their cultures. Following this transformation my passion for life burns with more intensity than ever before.
I can’t sleep. I have been tossing and turning all night, my mind is even more restless. I just got done with finals today and am now considered a senior in college. That in itself is enough to cause disbelief. However, tomorrow is packing day. In one day we are supposed to pack up our lives here on the Explorer and go forward. Don’t get me wrong, I am very excited to see my family and friends. I especially can’t wait to meet Peanut, my new niece or nephew. Yet I am torn…I must say good-bye to all the people who have made this voyage so special. I cannot believe how quickly our friendships formed. I feel like some of us grew up together, that is how close we have become. We will all go our separate ways but I believe that by sharing this experience we will remain connected for a very long time. I will also miss the crew who added so much to each one of our lives. And I will miss seeing the beautiful and inspirational Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Here is a man who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. I know because I was fortunate enough to live with him while sailing the world. I will miss his laughter echoing the halls or him dancing whenever and wherever he could. This community which has formed is extraordinary, each individual is an essential fabric woven into the life of the ship. I have never felt such unity and love in such a large group of people. We are blessed to have one another.
To be able to reflect and write down all the things that I have learned during the past 100 days would be difficult to do at this moment in time. There is a lot that I feel I will learn after this voyage concludes…when I have had the opportunity to process everything. This voyage focused on pathways to peace and one thing that I have learned is that conflict can and has been overcome by peace, not violence. “An eye for an eye” makes the whole world blind…that is why we listen to and follow great leaders like Gandhi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In place of cruelty they suggest care; instead of hatred they preach love. The love they refer to is not defined in the conventional way, but in the sense that you have only overwhelming good will for another. One of the great professors made a very interesting point. Hatred is a prison which detains us. Those who hate are the ones who end up suffering. I also learned that a lot of times in life it is really how one looks at the situation. One of our inter-port lecturers told a story about two people in the same situation. One was lucky, the other unlucky. One day these men go to the bank to deposit money. They both wait in the line for twenty minutes before reaching the teller. Just as they are about to make their transactions a robber comes in and starts shooting. Both men get shot in the arm. The unlucky man thinks, “Just my luck!” The lucky man thinks, “I am so lucky. I could have been shot in the head!” See? One situation, two different ways to look at it.
While I am not yet able to understand all that I have come face to face with, I do know that I want to make a difference as cliché as it sounds. Every single person on this voyage has been empowered to contribute something in someway. I do not know where I will begin or what I will do. I have yet to overcome these feelings of being overwhelmed by it all…but I do believe that I, along with my shipmates, can and will change the world. Some will go on to make huge changes in the world community; others will help in their own communities. Either way each one of us will be kinder, more aware and active in improving the lives of others. No can say that he or she has not been changed by this voyage. Even I do not know for sure the impact that it has had on my life. What I do know is that even though I consider this voyage as the time of my life, I know that the best is yet to come. My days of learning and exploring the world will not cease when I reach San Diego. I like to look at it as a beginning of another adventure. I will now get to experience my home, my school, and my country with new eyes. But I know I won’t be there too long…there is too much to see. There is too much to be done. So I have to ask myself…where to next?
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Eleanor Roosevelt
From the first time that I read this quote, I was inspired and motivated to truly understand what it means. I wanted to be able to read these words and say, yes, the purpose of life is to live it…to the fullest, every moment of every day.
In order to do this, I knew that something in me would have to change. I wanted to be different. I wanted to have a new perspective on life and the world. How this would happen, I had no idea. One of the reoccurring themes on this voyage is to see things with new lenses, not just seeing things how I want to perceive them. The goal is to not just see the people and the landscapes but to acquire new eyes in which to see them as they truly are.
I am no longer a tourist. I have transformed into a traveler. As a traveler I long to experience new things, meet new people, and learn from their cultures. Following this transformation my passion for life burns with more intensity than ever before.
I can’t sleep. I have been tossing and turning all night, my mind is even more restless. I just got done with finals today and am now considered a senior in college. That in itself is enough to cause disbelief. However, tomorrow is packing day. In one day we are supposed to pack up our lives here on the Explorer and go forward. Don’t get me wrong, I am very excited to see my family and friends. I especially can’t wait to meet Peanut, my new niece or nephew. Yet I am torn…I must say good-bye to all the people who have made this voyage so special. I cannot believe how quickly our friendships formed. I feel like some of us grew up together, that is how close we have become. We will all go our separate ways but I believe that by sharing this experience we will remain connected for a very long time. I will also miss the crew who added so much to each one of our lives. And I will miss seeing the beautiful and inspirational Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Here is a man who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk. I know because I was fortunate enough to live with him while sailing the world. I will miss his laughter echoing the halls or him dancing whenever and wherever he could. This community which has formed is extraordinary, each individual is an essential fabric woven into the life of the ship. I have never felt such unity and love in such a large group of people. We are blessed to have one another.
To be able to reflect and write down all the things that I have learned during the past 100 days would be difficult to do at this moment in time. There is a lot that I feel I will learn after this voyage concludes…when I have had the opportunity to process everything. This voyage focused on pathways to peace and one thing that I have learned is that conflict can and has been overcome by peace, not violence. “An eye for an eye” makes the whole world blind…that is why we listen to and follow great leaders like Gandhi and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In place of cruelty they suggest care; instead of hatred they preach love. The love they refer to is not defined in the conventional way, but in the sense that you have only overwhelming good will for another. One of the great professors made a very interesting point. Hatred is a prison which detains us. Those who hate are the ones who end up suffering. I also learned that a lot of times in life it is really how one looks at the situation. One of our inter-port lecturers told a story about two people in the same situation. One was lucky, the other unlucky. One day these men go to the bank to deposit money. They both wait in the line for twenty minutes before reaching the teller. Just as they are about to make their transactions a robber comes in and starts shooting. Both men get shot in the arm. The unlucky man thinks, “Just my luck!” The lucky man thinks, “I am so lucky. I could have been shot in the head!” See? One situation, two different ways to look at it.
While I am not yet able to understand all that I have come face to face with, I do know that I want to make a difference as cliché as it sounds. Every single person on this voyage has been empowered to contribute something in someway. I do not know where I will begin or what I will do. I have yet to overcome these feelings of being overwhelmed by it all…but I do believe that I, along with my shipmates, can and will change the world. Some will go on to make huge changes in the world community; others will help in their own communities. Either way each one of us will be kinder, more aware and active in improving the lives of others. No can say that he or she has not been changed by this voyage. Even I do not know for sure the impact that it has had on my life. What I do know is that even though I consider this voyage as the time of my life, I know that the best is yet to come. My days of learning and exploring the world will not cease when I reach San Diego. I like to look at it as a beginning of another adventure. I will now get to experience my home, my school, and my country with new eyes. But I know I won’t be there too long…there is too much to see. There is too much to be done. So I have to ask myself…where to next?
Love, Your Baby Girl
Dreams come true…
First of all, I need and truly want to express my gratitude for two very special and important people in my life, my parents. Without you two I would not have been able to have this experience. You supported me from the first day that I learned about Semester at Sea and still continue to be my biggest fan. Even though there was no way to truly prepare for what I did, you nurtured me with your love and wisdom. Without that I know I would have been far less ready to see the things that I saw and do the things that I did. Even though we were separated with distance and time, I feel that now more than ever that I am closer to you. My love and appreciation for you is deeper, stronger. I do not know what else to say…there are no words to articulate what is in my heart. So I will wait to see you in San Diego and I will give you a long awaited hug.
I love you more than anything in the world.
Love,
Your Baby Girl
First of all, I need and truly want to express my gratitude for two very special and important people in my life, my parents. Without you two I would not have been able to have this experience. You supported me from the first day that I learned about Semester at Sea and still continue to be my biggest fan. Even though there was no way to truly prepare for what I did, you nurtured me with your love and wisdom. Without that I know I would have been far less ready to see the things that I saw and do the things that I did. Even though we were separated with distance and time, I feel that now more than ever that I am closer to you. My love and appreciation for you is deeper, stronger. I do not know what else to say…there are no words to articulate what is in my heart. So I will wait to see you in San Diego and I will give you a long awaited hug.
I love you more than anything in the world.
Love,
Your Baby Girl
Pictures!
I promise to have pictures from the last few ports and all the activities posted when I get home so check back soon!
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Aloha Hawaii!
The ship pulled in at 6 am and we were able to get off around 8. The sun was shining and it was a gorgeous day. Charlene, Jody, Korrin, Kate and I caught a cab by the Aloha Tower and headed off to Pearl Harbor.
Considering the fact that I just came from the Hiroshima Peace Park, I was able to look at the Memorial at Pearl Harbor with a different perspective. To see the devastation that both countries inflicted on one another made me question why so many people had to die, and for what? At the bottom of it all it just doesn’t make sense. It is so hard for me to understand why people think that violence is the only solution to resolve conflict. I have been around the world and seen instances of this so often. The worst part of it all though is the wake of despair and pain that violence leaves behind.
Just like seeing what was left of the Dome in Hiroshima, I was deeply moved when peering down into the water at the USS Arizona. I got a little angry too. While we were at the Memorial I overheard two Americans talking about how happy they were that they were able to get revenge on the Japanese. I didn’t know what to do or say. I saw this “revenge” at Hiroshima and after seeing what happened there I don’t know how anyone could feel like they got even or revenge was accomplished. What was accomplished was disaster, and both countries were at fault.
The transition from the Memorial into the rest of our day wasn’t too easy. It was a good thing that we took the bus because it gave us about an hour to reflect on this and so many things that have occurred in the last three months. Once we arrived at Waikiki Beach we were starving. It was around two in the afternoon and we ate at a little Mexican/Hawaiian restaurant. We had Kalua pork and salad, all very delicious. Then it was off to enjoy the rest of the afternoon on the beach. We met up with many other SASers who were also basking in the sun, surfing, and playing football. It was a great time to chat with everyone and enjoy our last port together. Around six in the evening we watched the sun go down and packed up. Jenna, Charlene, Korrin, Jody, Kate and I walked together to get some food and coffee. Charlene ended up deciding that she wanted to get her nosed pierced and within ten minutes she got it done! We then took a cab back to Aloha Tower. Kate, Charlene, and I went to a little restaurant/bar right outside the ship and enjoyed a glass of wine. It was the perfect way to board the Explorer for the last time on this voyage!
Considering the fact that I just came from the Hiroshima Peace Park, I was able to look at the Memorial at Pearl Harbor with a different perspective. To see the devastation that both countries inflicted on one another made me question why so many people had to die, and for what? At the bottom of it all it just doesn’t make sense. It is so hard for me to understand why people think that violence is the only solution to resolve conflict. I have been around the world and seen instances of this so often. The worst part of it all though is the wake of despair and pain that violence leaves behind.
Just like seeing what was left of the Dome in Hiroshima, I was deeply moved when peering down into the water at the USS Arizona. I got a little angry too. While we were at the Memorial I overheard two Americans talking about how happy they were that they were able to get revenge on the Japanese. I didn’t know what to do or say. I saw this “revenge” at Hiroshima and after seeing what happened there I don’t know how anyone could feel like they got even or revenge was accomplished. What was accomplished was disaster, and both countries were at fault.
The transition from the Memorial into the rest of our day wasn’t too easy. It was a good thing that we took the bus because it gave us about an hour to reflect on this and so many things that have occurred in the last three months. Once we arrived at Waikiki Beach we were starving. It was around two in the afternoon and we ate at a little Mexican/Hawaiian restaurant. We had Kalua pork and salad, all very delicious. Then it was off to enjoy the rest of the afternoon on the beach. We met up with many other SASers who were also basking in the sun, surfing, and playing football. It was a great time to chat with everyone and enjoy our last port together. Around six in the evening we watched the sun go down and packed up. Jenna, Charlene, Korrin, Jody, Kate and I walked together to get some food and coffee. Charlene ended up deciding that she wanted to get her nosed pierced and within ten minutes she got it done! We then took a cab back to Aloha Tower. Kate, Charlene, and I went to a little restaurant/bar right outside the ship and enjoyed a glass of wine. It was the perfect way to board the Explorer for the last time on this voyage!
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Japan
Our last port! I can not believe how fast this trip has gone! The last half of the voyage went by quicker than the first half because we only had a few days on the ship before we reached another port. Sailing to Kobe took only two days; we arrived on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 0800. Disembarkation took longer than usual. There were many activities going on. We took a group photo on the back of the ship. Kate and I stood and waved from 7th deck. After that we had a briefing with two US diplomats, lunch, and the ship was cleared for us to get off. Lindsay, Meg, Allie, Kate and I took to the streets of Kobe to explore. We originally wanted to go to Hiroshima but we decided to save that trip for later day. The weather was a little gloomy but we were all so excited to be here. We went to the train station to figure out the system and buy tickets for our other trips. While in the station we noticed an aroma that was heavenly. Little waffles were sold at a vendor so we decided to treat ourselves. There were delicious! That night we (Lindsay, Meg, Allie, and I) went to a baseball game in Osaka. The Hansin Tigers played the Swallows. Halfway through the fifth inning it began to sprinkle. Within five minutes it was pouring. The crowd was ecstatic and the teams kept playing regardless of the rain. The team spirit was very apparent which made it impossible to not join in. We tried some “game food” which was interesting to say the least. There was squid on a stick and teriyaki chicken. We ended up getting a few beers and sampled some food. We left before the game completed and caught the train back to Kobe. It was such a fun and unexpected experience!
Thursday was a fantastic day. Kate and I went with SAS to Nara and Kyoto. These two areas are referred to have the “most significant sites associated with the developments of Japan’s political, artistic, and religious identity.” It took two hours to get to Nara which was the first capital in the 8th century. The capital then moved to Kyoto for 1,000 years and is now in Tokyo. We arrived to the oldest temple in Japan, Horyu-ji. It was built in 607 CE and contains some of Japan’s rarest treasures. Following that we went to lunch at Hotel Fujita Nara. This meal was so good! We had sushi, rice, chicken, and a light desert. Green tea was served as well, all the good things that I was hoping to be able to have while in Japan. After lunch we visited the deer park. Thousands of deer where all over the grounds and the deer were a lot smaller than the ones I am used to seeing. They were very aggressive at times. We bought little biscuits to feed them but ended up having to run from them. One even bit me from behind! I got some great pictures! The deer park was next to the Todaiji Temple which houses a huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha. It was enormous when we stood by it. There was a service going on as well so we caught a little bit of that and had time to explore the area. The Kasuga shrine was interesting however I don’t know too much about it. We checked into our ryokan, a tradition Japanese inn. It was just as I hoped it would be like. We put on yukata robes which are similar to kimonos and had a tea service in our open and tranquil rooms. Dinner was served at the hotel and this meal was by far the best. We all sat on the floor and had someone cooking for us. We ate almost every kind of vegetable and had thinly sliced meat. I also enjoyed another cup of tea. It was perfect. After a few hours of lounging a group of us decided to go into Kyoto for a while. We ended up taking the subway to an area closer to downtown. We walked along the streets and took in all the sights. On almost every corner there were vending machines with beer and other alcohol in them…very different than home! We went into a few pubs and then went to a place called Sam and Dave’s. It was pretty slow but we had the opportunity to chat with the bartenders who are from Canada originally. They gave us great insight about living and working here. They even showed us an Internet café that was close by. This place was intense! There were massaging chairs at almost every computer station. They served free drinks and even offered tanning! I have never seen anything like this! After an hour we headed back to catch the last train at midnight. When we got back to the ryokan we slipped into our futons for a wonderful and peaceful night of sleep.
All day Friday was spent in Kyoto. Our first stop was at the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This sight was breathtaking. Situated on a clear and calm pond stood the majestic structure stood three stories high and was completely covered in gold foil. The day was a vibrant blue which offset the pavilion and the pond brilliantly. I can’t wait to develop my pictures from this place; I hope they will be able to translate its beauty. The second stop was at Nijo Castle. Most of the cherry blossoms that Japan is famous for had already bloomed but there was an entire area with the pink and white flowers. The castle tour informed us about those that used this place. It was very important for rulers to meet as well as the Shoguns. A tempura lunch followed the castle visit. Again this meal was tasty. I have concluded that Japanese food has been my favorite on this trip. The last stop was at Kiyomizu Temple which is famous for its wooden veranda suspended over a deep gorge. The trees were so lush and green. The entire area was engulfed by this natural beauty. Then it was back to the bus to head back to the ship. Kate and I got a little courageous so we decided to stay in Kyoto for another night. We were expecting to be completely helpless with the language barrier…however we booked a hotel and got train tickets to Hiroshima in less than 20 minutes. It was too easy! The people here are so quick to help though which made it better. We checked into our hotel which was much nicer than anticipated because it was so inexpensive! We got dinner and had some wine. After a little cat nap and cleaning up we were back on the streets to have a good time. We ended up running into two other guys from SAS. We went back to Sam and Dave’s but it was too early again. The Japanese don’t start partying until 12 or 1 in the morning. It was only 10:30 so we went to a little pub where we had a few drinks. From there something caught our eye that we couldn’t pass up… Karaoke! This is extremely famous in this country. The wait to get into a room was twenty minutes but once we got in it was a blast. Now, I have a terrible voice but there is something about Japanese karaoke that got me going!
Saturday Kate and I boarded the bullet train to Hiroshima. We slept most of the way since it was a 2 hour ride. When we arrived we took a cable car to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The museum is dedicated to the explosion of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Approximately two hundred thousand people perished in this tragedy and left many injured for life. While inside the museum we read about the history and events leading up to the bomb. Pictures were very graphic but there was no way I could look away. Similar to the museum in Vietnam I wanted to know the other side of the story. At that moment I felt sick to know that my country was responsible for all this destruction. I saw charred clothing and other artifacts that depicted the intense heat from the explosion. Temperatures were said to have reached 7,000 degrees Celsius, melting statues, buildings, and imprinting human shadows on granite steps. The pictures of the skin that literally melted off people’s body were so gruesome, images that I will never be able to forget. One exhibit told the story of the 1,000 paper cranes. A little girl was exposed to the radiation leftover from the bomb and at the age of 10 (eight years later) she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Her hope was to build 1,000 paper cranes because she heard a story that by doing this she would be cured. Sadly, she died before she could finish all 1,000. Her friends from school and her family completed her dream and she was buried with all her cranes. It is such a moving story, one that humanizes the decision such as dropping the bomb. People who are capable of doing these kinds of harms should learn that their decisions affect beautiful and innocent people. Again I just couldn’t fathom why someone would want to engage in such evil. When we left the museum we walked around the gardens of the park. On the Memorial Cenotaph there is an inscription that reads, “Rest in peace for the error shall not be repeated.” This hope is what inspires people from all over the world to come to Hiroshima to witness what the first atomic bomb accomplished. Hopefully those who see it will be able to make these words into action. There is too much hatred and evil in this world, I do not have to tell anyone that. But what I feel in my heart is that we could all come together and be kinder, more humane. I know these seem like naïve and lofty dreams but after seeing all the devastation in Vietnam and now in Hiroshima they have been planted within my heart and soul. I have almost gone around the world and I have seen much. But I can’t help but think of what I didn’t see or what is hidden from me. My mind always goes to the current war in Iraq. People are dying every day. People on both sides are suffering, and for what? Maybe those responsible for making the big decisions should actually look into the eyes of a child then decided if they want to detonate…
The rest of the day consisted of reflection about this place, as well as our journey thus far. Kate and I traveled back to Kobe that evening. We had a good chat, a life chat. We are so grateful for our lives and those in it. However, we decided that we now have the ability as well as the responsibility to do something, to make positive change so that everyone can have a higher quality of life.
Our last night in Japan was a good one…we had dinner and went out around 10 pm. Kate, Ashley, and I went with another group to the downtown area. We hopped from bar to pub. Everyone was enjoying themselves, however the point that this was our last night in a foreign port lingered over us. We all noted how grateful we are but this trip has been the time of our lives and with that we called it a night.
Sunday was bittersweet. I had a fabulous time with Ashley, Kate, and Ben. We wanted to go to Osaka for a Cherry Blossom Festival at the castle but found out it was cancelled. So we didn’t know what to do while in Osaka. We were about to walk out of the train station when we saw a poster for Universal Studies…we found our solution. It was really a quick and random thing to decide but we were all up for it! The lines were packed and wait times were hours. We did get to go on the Back to the Future ride which was worth the wait. The rest of the afternoon we ventured through the park and took a ton of pictures. Our favorite part of the day was taking pictures with Woody Woodpecker, Shrek and Princess Fiona, Hello Kitty, and a penguin from March of the Penguins! It definitely brought be back! Around 3 we went to eat at Hard Rock café. This is the first American food for most of us, other than McDonald’s. Then we took the train back to Kobe. Kate, Ashley, and I got coffee and had another life chat to conclude our day as well as our time in Japan. The Explorer set said precisely at 11 pm and headed for home…
Thursday was a fantastic day. Kate and I went with SAS to Nara and Kyoto. These two areas are referred to have the “most significant sites associated with the developments of Japan’s political, artistic, and religious identity.” It took two hours to get to Nara which was the first capital in the 8th century. The capital then moved to Kyoto for 1,000 years and is now in Tokyo. We arrived to the oldest temple in Japan, Horyu-ji. It was built in 607 CE and contains some of Japan’s rarest treasures. Following that we went to lunch at Hotel Fujita Nara. This meal was so good! We had sushi, rice, chicken, and a light desert. Green tea was served as well, all the good things that I was hoping to be able to have while in Japan. After lunch we visited the deer park. Thousands of deer where all over the grounds and the deer were a lot smaller than the ones I am used to seeing. They were very aggressive at times. We bought little biscuits to feed them but ended up having to run from them. One even bit me from behind! I got some great pictures! The deer park was next to the Todaiji Temple which houses a huge bronze statue of the Great Buddha. It was enormous when we stood by it. There was a service going on as well so we caught a little bit of that and had time to explore the area. The Kasuga shrine was interesting however I don’t know too much about it. We checked into our ryokan, a tradition Japanese inn. It was just as I hoped it would be like. We put on yukata robes which are similar to kimonos and had a tea service in our open and tranquil rooms. Dinner was served at the hotel and this meal was by far the best. We all sat on the floor and had someone cooking for us. We ate almost every kind of vegetable and had thinly sliced meat. I also enjoyed another cup of tea. It was perfect. After a few hours of lounging a group of us decided to go into Kyoto for a while. We ended up taking the subway to an area closer to downtown. We walked along the streets and took in all the sights. On almost every corner there were vending machines with beer and other alcohol in them…very different than home! We went into a few pubs and then went to a place called Sam and Dave’s. It was pretty slow but we had the opportunity to chat with the bartenders who are from Canada originally. They gave us great insight about living and working here. They even showed us an Internet café that was close by. This place was intense! There were massaging chairs at almost every computer station. They served free drinks and even offered tanning! I have never seen anything like this! After an hour we headed back to catch the last train at midnight. When we got back to the ryokan we slipped into our futons for a wonderful and peaceful night of sleep.
All day Friday was spent in Kyoto. Our first stop was at the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. This sight was breathtaking. Situated on a clear and calm pond stood the majestic structure stood three stories high and was completely covered in gold foil. The day was a vibrant blue which offset the pavilion and the pond brilliantly. I can’t wait to develop my pictures from this place; I hope they will be able to translate its beauty. The second stop was at Nijo Castle. Most of the cherry blossoms that Japan is famous for had already bloomed but there was an entire area with the pink and white flowers. The castle tour informed us about those that used this place. It was very important for rulers to meet as well as the Shoguns. A tempura lunch followed the castle visit. Again this meal was tasty. I have concluded that Japanese food has been my favorite on this trip. The last stop was at Kiyomizu Temple which is famous for its wooden veranda suspended over a deep gorge. The trees were so lush and green. The entire area was engulfed by this natural beauty. Then it was back to the bus to head back to the ship. Kate and I got a little courageous so we decided to stay in Kyoto for another night. We were expecting to be completely helpless with the language barrier…however we booked a hotel and got train tickets to Hiroshima in less than 20 minutes. It was too easy! The people here are so quick to help though which made it better. We checked into our hotel which was much nicer than anticipated because it was so inexpensive! We got dinner and had some wine. After a little cat nap and cleaning up we were back on the streets to have a good time. We ended up running into two other guys from SAS. We went back to Sam and Dave’s but it was too early again. The Japanese don’t start partying until 12 or 1 in the morning. It was only 10:30 so we went to a little pub where we had a few drinks. From there something caught our eye that we couldn’t pass up… Karaoke! This is extremely famous in this country. The wait to get into a room was twenty minutes but once we got in it was a blast. Now, I have a terrible voice but there is something about Japanese karaoke that got me going!
Saturday Kate and I boarded the bullet train to Hiroshima. We slept most of the way since it was a 2 hour ride. When we arrived we took a cable car to the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. The museum is dedicated to the explosion of the atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Approximately two hundred thousand people perished in this tragedy and left many injured for life. While inside the museum we read about the history and events leading up to the bomb. Pictures were very graphic but there was no way I could look away. Similar to the museum in Vietnam I wanted to know the other side of the story. At that moment I felt sick to know that my country was responsible for all this destruction. I saw charred clothing and other artifacts that depicted the intense heat from the explosion. Temperatures were said to have reached 7,000 degrees Celsius, melting statues, buildings, and imprinting human shadows on granite steps. The pictures of the skin that literally melted off people’s body were so gruesome, images that I will never be able to forget. One exhibit told the story of the 1,000 paper cranes. A little girl was exposed to the radiation leftover from the bomb and at the age of 10 (eight years later) she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Her hope was to build 1,000 paper cranes because she heard a story that by doing this she would be cured. Sadly, she died before she could finish all 1,000. Her friends from school and her family completed her dream and she was buried with all her cranes. It is such a moving story, one that humanizes the decision such as dropping the bomb. People who are capable of doing these kinds of harms should learn that their decisions affect beautiful and innocent people. Again I just couldn’t fathom why someone would want to engage in such evil. When we left the museum we walked around the gardens of the park. On the Memorial Cenotaph there is an inscription that reads, “Rest in peace for the error shall not be repeated.” This hope is what inspires people from all over the world to come to Hiroshima to witness what the first atomic bomb accomplished. Hopefully those who see it will be able to make these words into action. There is too much hatred and evil in this world, I do not have to tell anyone that. But what I feel in my heart is that we could all come together and be kinder, more humane. I know these seem like naïve and lofty dreams but after seeing all the devastation in Vietnam and now in Hiroshima they have been planted within my heart and soul. I have almost gone around the world and I have seen much. But I can’t help but think of what I didn’t see or what is hidden from me. My mind always goes to the current war in Iraq. People are dying every day. People on both sides are suffering, and for what? Maybe those responsible for making the big decisions should actually look into the eyes of a child then decided if they want to detonate…
The rest of the day consisted of reflection about this place, as well as our journey thus far. Kate and I traveled back to Kobe that evening. We had a good chat, a life chat. We are so grateful for our lives and those in it. However, we decided that we now have the ability as well as the responsibility to do something, to make positive change so that everyone can have a higher quality of life.
Our last night in Japan was a good one…we had dinner and went out around 10 pm. Kate, Ashley, and I went with another group to the downtown area. We hopped from bar to pub. Everyone was enjoying themselves, however the point that this was our last night in a foreign port lingered over us. We all noted how grateful we are but this trip has been the time of our lives and with that we called it a night.
Sunday was bittersweet. I had a fabulous time with Ashley, Kate, and Ben. We wanted to go to Osaka for a Cherry Blossom Festival at the castle but found out it was cancelled. So we didn’t know what to do while in Osaka. We were about to walk out of the train station when we saw a poster for Universal Studies…we found our solution. It was really a quick and random thing to decide but we were all up for it! The lines were packed and wait times were hours. We did get to go on the Back to the Future ride which was worth the wait. The rest of the afternoon we ventured through the park and took a ton of pictures. Our favorite part of the day was taking pictures with Woody Woodpecker, Shrek and Princess Fiona, Hello Kitty, and a penguin from March of the Penguins! It definitely brought be back! Around 3 we went to eat at Hard Rock café. This is the first American food for most of us, other than McDonald’s. Then we took the train back to Kobe. Kate, Ashley, and I got coffee and had another life chat to conclude our day as well as our time in Japan. The Explorer set said precisely at 11 pm and headed for home…
China
Our flight from Hong Kong left in the early afternoon on Wednesday, April 18th, but with a group of over 70 SASers we had to leave for the airport around 9am. The drive on the bus was great; it gave us a glimpse of more of Hong Kong. I really want to come back to further explore this place, as I do in other places I have been. While waiting to board we watched CNN to get more information about VT. It was still raw, which I am sure will be the situation for some time. The flight was uneventful, which was good. We landed in Beijing and quickly got onto a bus for the hour ride to Peking University to meet with students and have dinner. The bus ride was fun to take in the sights. The city is extremely excited for the upcoming Olympics as it should be. We were able to see the building where the opening ceremonies will be held and there were official clocks around the city counting down the days until August 2008. Around 6 pm we went to a restaurant for some interesting Chinese cuisine. Some of the dishes were good, however let me just say that the Chinese food served at home is very different than the authentic food. After dinner we went to Peking University to meet our host students. The evening was cool, a refreshing break from the intense heat we have experienced in all the countries prior. The students were so excited to meet us and show us their campus. This university is among the top institutions in China and is comparable to Harvard and MIT. Needless to say, these students told us that all of their free time was spent studying and most were in the medical or engineering fields. The campus was beautiful, even at night. We walked around a small lake and took in the traditional style buildings that decorated the nicely manicured landscape. After about an hour tour we said goodbye until tomorrow and went to check into our hotel. The Beijing Post and Telegraph Center would be our home for the next three nights…and it was an adventure in itself. I guess the best way to illustrate this place is to say that the hostel that I stayed at in South Africa was a five star accommodation compared to this place. But we made the best of it as the experience is always more important.
On Thursday we had breakfast at the hotel, more rice and eggs. I was so excited to see that there was milk. I couldn’t wait to have a big gulp…but as I grabbed a glass I almost burned my hand, the milk was hot! I will be a good sport and try new things but this is one thing that I couldn’t bring myself to do! After breakfast we gathered back on the bus and headed to visit a cloisonné factory, a type of artwork that is native to China. It was pretty interesting; we were able to see people making different objects such as vases, jewelry, and sculptures. Following that we visited the Ming Tombs where 14 of the 16 Ming Dynasty emperors and empresses are buried. The grounds above the tombs covered a large area which was filled with trees and other plants. Descending down about 10 flights of stairs was quite a task but once we got to where the tombs were it was incredible. China has such a long history and to be able to be in the same vicinity as the majority of China’s past rulers was mind-boggling. When we left the Ming Tombs we went to lunch at Dayi Restaurant. The food was better here, a little more familiarity with sweet and sour pork and spring rolls. We had to fill up though because after lunch we went to climb the Great Wall. This was by far the high point of my time in China. Our day was not very clear but as our bus approached the Great Wall I could instantly see and feel its splendor. We arrived at one area where were to begin our hike. Our guide informed us that it would take two hours to climb up and back down so we scrambled off the bus and hit the stairs. The pictures do not do it justice, but is surprisingly steeper than we anticipated. We were all a little winded about half way up but it added to the experience. It was overwhelming to realize that I was ascending up the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall! I was finally here after all this time. I had a huge smile on my face the entire time as did all the SASers. We stopped at various points for pictures however I know a few pictures stops were opportunities to catch a quick breath. The stairs were very small, definitely made for people with smaller feet. They were also very far apart making the incline that much more challenging. Once we reached the very top of this section we gathered to take it all in. It was really special because after a few moments of looking around we all got silent. The awe of being on the Great Wall finally sank in. Various emotions overcame me at that moment. I thought about where I was and what I have seen and done up to this point. I felt truly humbled and grateful. I even called the family and woke them up at 3 am to let them know that I was on top of the Great Wall! Reluctantly, we began our climb done. Again we were all a little more quiet, either to take time to meditate or because of exhaustion. At the bottom, I saw a camel. Yes, I said a camel. I know, it was strange for me too. However, it was there and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to ride a camel while at the base of the Great Wall. I mean, how many people can be able to do that! So I paid 20 Yuen ($3) to ride Yeni the camel for about 5 minutes but it was well worth it. I climbed on top and sat between her two humps. The last time I was on a camel was when I was four and I forgot how comfortable they ride, like a regular ‘ol Cadillac! After I said my goodbye to Yeni and the Great Wall we headed back to the University for dinner and a party with the students. Dinner was filling as all the meals have been. The party afterwards was fun; we had a little game of limbo and other contests. It became obvious to the SASers that these students don’t get out much or they really like limbo!
On Friday we had breakfast again at the hotel. Our first stop was at the Temple of Heaven which is situated in the largest park in all of Beijing. We had time to explore the main temple and other buildings of the complex. It was another grand sight with some of the most beautiful Chinese architecture I have seen. We strolled through an area where people played games and practiced Tai Chi. There was a large group of people congregated around pieces of paper so we thought we would check it out. We couldn’t figure out what they were doing. Thankfully a British man explained to us that this was a location for Chinese people to meet a prospective husband or wife. The papers were actually ads describing their families and what they wanted in a partner. I guess this was China’s version of Match.com! We met up with the rest of the group but decided to skip lunch. We found out that the Temple of Heaven was near the infamous Pearl Market where strands of fresh and salt water pearls are incredibly inexpensive. About five of us girls walked to the market and spent over an hour browsing and purchasing pearls. The factory was huge, literally floor after floor of pearl vendors. We met back up with the group at Tiananmen Square. This was one of the most interesting sights to learn about in Global Studies. We watched a documentary about the Tank Man in the spring of 1989. Everyone should know about this significant historical event. We went into the Forbidden City but took pictures including a group one in front of Chairman Mao’s memorial hall. This palace is the largest and most complete of China’s existing palaces and the former residence of 24 emperors. A few of us left the group at that time to take a taxi back to the hotel. It was an hour ride with traffic. The number of cars in Beijing is countless. We were able to rest before dinner. We didn’t make it on time to meet with the group because of traffic…so we stopped at McDonald’s. It was actually a nice break. We did make it to the acrobatic show which was phenomenal! The stunts that the performers did seemed impossible but they made them look too easy. They did flips through rings of fire and 15 people artistically rode a single bike. Everyone should see these pictures…incredible! That night we hit the town. We went to an area of bars and restaurants that surrounded a gorgeous lake. There weren’t that many people out but we had an exciting night nonetheless. We first shared a stick of sugared strawberries. They were delicious, however dangerous. Katie, not me, cut her finger from the crystallized sugar. And from then on it got even more interesting. We went into a bar called Sex and Da City, catchy name. They led us to an area where a table was but it was more like a bed with pillows and a little table. It was fun until we got yelled at by a pole dancer. This is such a crazy story but we were upstairs taking pictures of the bed/table because it was so funny. Well the pole dancer thought we took a picture of her and she got a little upset…we actually have no idea what she said since she spoke Chinese but we could tell it wasn’t good! Then we ordered wine but it turned out to be more water than wine. With that we figured we hit three strikes so we called it a night. All in all we had a great time; it was fun to recap the next morning on all the craziness!
Saturday, our last day in Beijing, began with breakfast at the hotel again. We weren’t too sad to leave the hotel though. We spent the morning touring the Summer Palace which is a large area that was built for the emperor and empress for rest and relaxation. It reminded me a lot of home with buildings encircling a large and beautiful lake. The trees were so green and flowers were blooming. The sense of spring was everywhere. Our last stop at the Palace was at the large Marble Boat. We took a boat, a wooden one, across the lake to get back to our bus. It was very relaxing and made me think of home even though Chinese influence surrounded me. Back on the bus we departed for the airport for our flight to Qingdao. Most of us took advantage of the hour and a half to rest from the past few days of nonstop activity. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We only have so much time in each port and taking advantage of every moment and every opportunity is vital. We landed in Qingdao and got onto another bus to get to the ship. Another group of SASers was on our flight so our bus driver and theirs raced to get to the dock. We won, but after almost going off the road ourselves. I know we cut off a few cars, notably a van of government officials! That night we walked around downtown but had to cut the night short. ATM cards as well as VISA were not accepted anywhere and many of us didn’t have any Yuen left.
Sunday was our last day in China. Many of us stayed on the ship. The weather wasn’t very good and like the night before many didn’t have Yuen left. It was perfect though, I finally got to sleep in and catch up on some rest. The Explorer set sail for Kobe at exactly 11 pm. I couldn’t believe we only had one last country before we are home in the States. I remember the Bahamas like it was last week. I had to stop thinking about the fact that this experience was coming to a close because we still have Japan…and I felt like we were going to go out with a bang…
On Thursday we had breakfast at the hotel, more rice and eggs. I was so excited to see that there was milk. I couldn’t wait to have a big gulp…but as I grabbed a glass I almost burned my hand, the milk was hot! I will be a good sport and try new things but this is one thing that I couldn’t bring myself to do! After breakfast we gathered back on the bus and headed to visit a cloisonné factory, a type of artwork that is native to China. It was pretty interesting; we were able to see people making different objects such as vases, jewelry, and sculptures. Following that we visited the Ming Tombs where 14 of the 16 Ming Dynasty emperors and empresses are buried. The grounds above the tombs covered a large area which was filled with trees and other plants. Descending down about 10 flights of stairs was quite a task but once we got to where the tombs were it was incredible. China has such a long history and to be able to be in the same vicinity as the majority of China’s past rulers was mind-boggling. When we left the Ming Tombs we went to lunch at Dayi Restaurant. The food was better here, a little more familiarity with sweet and sour pork and spring rolls. We had to fill up though because after lunch we went to climb the Great Wall. This was by far the high point of my time in China. Our day was not very clear but as our bus approached the Great Wall I could instantly see and feel its splendor. We arrived at one area where were to begin our hike. Our guide informed us that it would take two hours to climb up and back down so we scrambled off the bus and hit the stairs. The pictures do not do it justice, but is surprisingly steeper than we anticipated. We were all a little winded about half way up but it added to the experience. It was overwhelming to realize that I was ascending up the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall! I was finally here after all this time. I had a huge smile on my face the entire time as did all the SASers. We stopped at various points for pictures however I know a few pictures stops were opportunities to catch a quick breath. The stairs were very small, definitely made for people with smaller feet. They were also very far apart making the incline that much more challenging. Once we reached the very top of this section we gathered to take it all in. It was really special because after a few moments of looking around we all got silent. The awe of being on the Great Wall finally sank in. Various emotions overcame me at that moment. I thought about where I was and what I have seen and done up to this point. I felt truly humbled and grateful. I even called the family and woke them up at 3 am to let them know that I was on top of the Great Wall! Reluctantly, we began our climb done. Again we were all a little more quiet, either to take time to meditate or because of exhaustion. At the bottom, I saw a camel. Yes, I said a camel. I know, it was strange for me too. However, it was there and I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to ride a camel while at the base of the Great Wall. I mean, how many people can be able to do that! So I paid 20 Yuen ($3) to ride Yeni the camel for about 5 minutes but it was well worth it. I climbed on top and sat between her two humps. The last time I was on a camel was when I was four and I forgot how comfortable they ride, like a regular ‘ol Cadillac! After I said my goodbye to Yeni and the Great Wall we headed back to the University for dinner and a party with the students. Dinner was filling as all the meals have been. The party afterwards was fun; we had a little game of limbo and other contests. It became obvious to the SASers that these students don’t get out much or they really like limbo!
On Friday we had breakfast again at the hotel. Our first stop was at the Temple of Heaven which is situated in the largest park in all of Beijing. We had time to explore the main temple and other buildings of the complex. It was another grand sight with some of the most beautiful Chinese architecture I have seen. We strolled through an area where people played games and practiced Tai Chi. There was a large group of people congregated around pieces of paper so we thought we would check it out. We couldn’t figure out what they were doing. Thankfully a British man explained to us that this was a location for Chinese people to meet a prospective husband or wife. The papers were actually ads describing their families and what they wanted in a partner. I guess this was China’s version of Match.com! We met up with the rest of the group but decided to skip lunch. We found out that the Temple of Heaven was near the infamous Pearl Market where strands of fresh and salt water pearls are incredibly inexpensive. About five of us girls walked to the market and spent over an hour browsing and purchasing pearls. The factory was huge, literally floor after floor of pearl vendors. We met back up with the group at Tiananmen Square. This was one of the most interesting sights to learn about in Global Studies. We watched a documentary about the Tank Man in the spring of 1989. Everyone should know about this significant historical event. We went into the Forbidden City but took pictures including a group one in front of Chairman Mao’s memorial hall. This palace is the largest and most complete of China’s existing palaces and the former residence of 24 emperors. A few of us left the group at that time to take a taxi back to the hotel. It was an hour ride with traffic. The number of cars in Beijing is countless. We were able to rest before dinner. We didn’t make it on time to meet with the group because of traffic…so we stopped at McDonald’s. It was actually a nice break. We did make it to the acrobatic show which was phenomenal! The stunts that the performers did seemed impossible but they made them look too easy. They did flips through rings of fire and 15 people artistically rode a single bike. Everyone should see these pictures…incredible! That night we hit the town. We went to an area of bars and restaurants that surrounded a gorgeous lake. There weren’t that many people out but we had an exciting night nonetheless. We first shared a stick of sugared strawberries. They were delicious, however dangerous. Katie, not me, cut her finger from the crystallized sugar. And from then on it got even more interesting. We went into a bar called Sex and Da City, catchy name. They led us to an area where a table was but it was more like a bed with pillows and a little table. It was fun until we got yelled at by a pole dancer. This is such a crazy story but we were upstairs taking pictures of the bed/table because it was so funny. Well the pole dancer thought we took a picture of her and she got a little upset…we actually have no idea what she said since she spoke Chinese but we could tell it wasn’t good! Then we ordered wine but it turned out to be more water than wine. With that we figured we hit three strikes so we called it a night. All in all we had a great time; it was fun to recap the next morning on all the craziness!
Saturday, our last day in Beijing, began with breakfast at the hotel again. We weren’t too sad to leave the hotel though. We spent the morning touring the Summer Palace which is a large area that was built for the emperor and empress for rest and relaxation. It reminded me a lot of home with buildings encircling a large and beautiful lake. The trees were so green and flowers were blooming. The sense of spring was everywhere. Our last stop at the Palace was at the large Marble Boat. We took a boat, a wooden one, across the lake to get back to our bus. It was very relaxing and made me think of home even though Chinese influence surrounded me. Back on the bus we departed for the airport for our flight to Qingdao. Most of us took advantage of the hour and a half to rest from the past few days of nonstop activity. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. We only have so much time in each port and taking advantage of every moment and every opportunity is vital. We landed in Qingdao and got onto another bus to get to the ship. Another group of SASers was on our flight so our bus driver and theirs raced to get to the dock. We won, but after almost going off the road ourselves. I know we cut off a few cars, notably a van of government officials! That night we walked around downtown but had to cut the night short. ATM cards as well as VISA were not accepted anywhere and many of us didn’t have any Yuen left.
Sunday was our last day in China. Many of us stayed on the ship. The weather wasn’t very good and like the night before many didn’t have Yuen left. It was perfect though, I finally got to sleep in and catch up on some rest. The Explorer set sail for Kobe at exactly 11 pm. I couldn’t believe we only had one last country before we are home in the States. I remember the Bahamas like it was last week. I had to stop thinking about the fact that this experience was coming to a close because we still have Japan…and I felt like we were going to go out with a bang…
Hong Kong
Arrival to this port was very different than any other. We went through cultural and logistical pre-ports the night before as usual. The morning of arrival usual consists of a diplomatic briefing after inspection by customs officials. However, an announcement came over the ship’s intercom informing us about the massacre that had just taken place at Virginia Tech. Silence overtook the entire ship. No one moved or made a noise. One of the professors read an article from the New York Times with the latest information. It was too close to home for many students as some, one who I know well, are from VT. It wasn’t long before the news sank in and tears and anger filled the silence. Talking erupted and questions were asked. No one could make sense of the news we had just received. As college students ourselves we could identify with many of the thoughts and feelings that were more than likely being felt across the nation as well as the world. The Dean of students spoke to us, reminding everyone that as a shipboard community that we must stick together and take care of one another during this fragile time. As horrible as it was to hear this news I could feel the ship come closer together, each of us reflecting on how lucky we all were to have this opportunity to travel the world and be together. After a moment of silence, the Dean noted that there would not be a diplomatic briefing out of respect for those who needed more time to digest this devastating announcement. Archbishop Desmond Tutu walked into the Union and began addressing the ship. I could see the agony that he felt. It was written all over his face. He said that a horrible thing has happened and that pain will be felt all over the world. He prayed for the victims, the perpetrator, and all those affected. He said we must remember that God is in control and will take care of His children, all of His children, including the young man who caused this crime. Then he ended with his infamous belief that we all have an “incredible capacity for good.” He said we must not dwell, we must help heal and go out into these next few ports as ambassadors of goodness. Considering the situation, this was the only way I could think of going out into Hong Kong and enjoying my time.
Thankfully, the encouragement from Archbishop Tutu gave many of us strength. We were able to have a day filled with laughter and great memories. Kate, Lindsay, Meg, Allie and I ventured into the city to find the good markets everyone kept talking about. We heard that this was a great place to find pearls, but unfortunately we were unable to find the right place. No problem there though we busied ourselves with the streets and streets of markets selling anything and everything. One of the most popular things people were selling was fake designer bags…and what a process this was! As we walked from vendor to vendor they would show pictures of the bags and purses that they had but there was a catch. In order to see these pieces we had to follow them up flights of stairs to a secluded room where they had them stored. At first I thought we were being led to who knows where. Thankfully there were many other people in these “rooms” so we didn’t feel alone. But it didn’t take away from how creepy it all was. This I think was the closest to the underground market that I have ever come! All in all it was a fun and random experience that made a good story. The day was a little gloomy and rain fell off and on throughout the afternoon. Around dinner time we all made the consensus to go to Pizza Hut…I know, I know. Nevertheless it was delicious and no one had stomach issues from it! That night we went out for a couple drinks and enjoyed the glorious skyline of Hong Kong. It was an early night though due to the morning flight to Beijing.
Thankfully, the encouragement from Archbishop Tutu gave many of us strength. We were able to have a day filled with laughter and great memories. Kate, Lindsay, Meg, Allie and I ventured into the city to find the good markets everyone kept talking about. We heard that this was a great place to find pearls, but unfortunately we were unable to find the right place. No problem there though we busied ourselves with the streets and streets of markets selling anything and everything. One of the most popular things people were selling was fake designer bags…and what a process this was! As we walked from vendor to vendor they would show pictures of the bags and purses that they had but there was a catch. In order to see these pieces we had to follow them up flights of stairs to a secluded room where they had them stored. At first I thought we were being led to who knows where. Thankfully there were many other people in these “rooms” so we didn’t feel alone. But it didn’t take away from how creepy it all was. This I think was the closest to the underground market that I have ever come! All in all it was a fun and random experience that made a good story. The day was a little gloomy and rain fell off and on throughout the afternoon. Around dinner time we all made the consensus to go to Pizza Hut…I know, I know. Nevertheless it was delicious and no one had stomach issues from it! That night we went out for a couple drinks and enjoyed the glorious skyline of Hong Kong. It was an early night though due to the morning flight to Beijing.
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