Dearest Friends and Fam,

I just returned from my FANTASTIC summer vacation HONG KONG!! My dear travel buddy, Hoonhee and I had a great time! We're both safe and sound, back in the comforts of Korea now, but watch your mailboxes for HK postcards!

Let me describe the trip by what we DIDN'T do:

We DIDN'T stay at the highly regarded, website recommended, very reasonably-priced hostel in the Chungking Mansion… located in the touristy area of Kowloon.
WHY?? We feared for our safety and well-being!! As soon as we walked in to the dingy, fluorescent-lit, very dirty, unpleasant smelling building, we were BOMBARDED with offers from strange men saying, "Lady, you want nice handbag? You want nice watch? You want hotel?" After a verbal wrestling match and vicious threats from the angry man behind the desk, Hoonhee and I escaped to find solace in the very clean, very reputable (NOT as affordable) YMCA on the next block.

WHEW!

We DIDN'T go to the Olympic Equestrian Events, held there in Hong Kong…
WHY?? We went to the Olympic ticketing office to inquire about tickets. The Cantonese men laughed that we would even TRY to get tickets. However, we did stroll through the Olympic Piazza taking many photos. The entire city was percolating with Olympic spirit!

I DIDN'T buy my fancy-schmancy, designer Burberry (knock-off) handbag.
WHY?? I live in Korea! I can get designer knock-offs here! At a much more leisurely pace. I didn't want to spend my holiday haggling and wrestling for good prices. I DID enjoy buying ladies shoes in my size! Ohhhhhhhhhh… how I've missed the pleasure of shoe shopping since moving to Korea. Nine West: ANNA thanks you!!

Hoonhee DIDN'T stay as long as me.
WHY?? She returned to Korea a few days earlier than me. I was sad to lose my travel buddy, but I got to spend a few days with new friends at the YWAM Base in the New Territories area of Hong Kong. The base is in a 900+ year-old village, the oldest part of Hong Kong. Needless to say, it was quite a change in pace from the busy, bustling, touristy area of the city.

I DIDN'T take a cable car ride, or a boat tour, or a trip to Macau.
WHY?? We had a TYPHOON!! The better statement is that, I DID survive a typhoon. (!!) Typoon Nuri is her name, and I have some other names for her too!I happened to be walking through the 900+ year-old-village with no street signs, with no sensible roads, LOST without an umbrella in the crazy, blowing, gusting, raining TYPHOON. Ha. THAT is a memorable experience! You can read about it here: http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/08/22/asia/OUKWD-UK-HONGKONG-TYPHOON.php

That about sums up the trip!! In less-than 48 hours, ANNA TEACHER will be back in action, back in the classroom. I love and appreciate you ALL! More than you will know. Watch your mailboxes for postcards!! All my love, Anna ~:)