9th September

When Felix told me my visa had been successfully accepted I didn't respond to him excitably nor have the sudden surge of happiness. Reactions I thought I would have felt in that given moment.
This visa gives me one month and after that I will need to apply for an extension to last until the end of the year. My feelings now have changed about staying as I have a Plan B in South East Asia that excites me. How will things work out? In a few weeks an answer will be told and I'll figure it all out then.

After returning from my visa run to Hong Kong, it's a new start for me, call it a late Chinese New Year's resolution. No more wasting the day away or worrying about what might or might not be.
Unfortunately after another phone call to the orphanage, they rudely explained how they aren't accepting volunteers and haven't done for the past 2 years! Why they couldn't say this before I don't know?! I also wasn't able to attend the training day for the Migrant Children School as it was on a Saturday and I said no to the University offer as I couldn't promise that I would make each lesson due to visa troubles. So trying to keep busy and adding to my small CV hasn't been going very well so far!


15th - 16th September

9 to 10 hour adventures each day walking around and around, here and there, until the sun become too much and I was constantly tripping over, not being able to pick up my tired legs.

Chi Lin Nunnery - A Buddhist nunnery.
Such a spectacular sight as the photos prove. I felt so proud of myself, not only for finding it! But being able to stand right there, to be able to have the opportunity to of been where I've been and where my paths are taking me. Beaming!

Nan Lian Garden-
Located just below the nunnery, amid high rise apartment blocks and the high way, it was still extremely peaceful and tranquil. It was 3.5 hectares, with a Tang dynasty ancient style. Stunning!

Wong Tai Sin Temple-
One of the most famous temples in Hong Kong and across the world. It is believed that Wong Tai Sin rescues the dying, heals the wounded, and punishes all evil. For that reason, thousands of visitors come to Wong Tai Sin Temple each year to have their fortunes told and to make a wish at the altar.
Vibrantly painted walls and a golden roof, large red lanterns hanging down between the many tall trees, everywhere in Wong Tai Sin was so colorful. Not being allowed to enter inside the temple, people stand outside under large umbrellas that have been erected for them and light incense sticks, give offerings of meat and fruit and shake shake a bamboo cylinder until a fortune stick falls out. The number of that stick is then exchanged for a piece of paper which shows the fortune of the worshipper. Hectic!

Kowloon Walled City - Kowloon Walled City Park.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, Kowloon Walled City (also dubbed as the slums of Hong Kong) was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution, gambling, and drug use. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 6.5-acre borders. The quality of life in the City, sanitary conditions in particular, was far behind the rest of Hong Kong and in January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. Demolition was completed in April 1994. The area where the Walled City once stood is now Kowloon Walled City Park. It was good to learn about some of Hong Kong's past and to see a part of Hong Kong that is less developed. Interesting!

I found 2 other small, isolated temples on my travels to the touristy stops. An orange roof was peeking between the many trees and next that thing I was walking up and down, through many trees determined I would find away to this temple hidden away. I found a way and was greeted by two men who lived in a shack next to the temple, keeping up the maintenance of the temple on the side of this sloping hill. The other, again a quaint temple was easier to find, literally on the side of a main road. But they were my finds. Happy!

My trip to Hong Kong for third time was a brilliant, blissful trip.

16th September (night)

Stepping off the plane I was immediately confronted with the words, "I'm defiantly back in China!" as I saw the spit on the floor.
I'm finding it very difficult to write this blog, I don't want to be negative about where I am, but flying back from Hong Kong after 8 months immerged in the Chinese culture I have returned seeing things a lot differently this time.
Spit marks on the floor, getting barged into, the constant noise of someone bringing up flem, clipping of nails on the metro, people cutting the line in queues, starring… The taxi ride back to the apartment was silent. I realised I had returned to a world of silence. My own silence. I've never once noticed this before, but the isolation I have here. Even in the Muslim restaurant I order my food and that's it. I sit there, eat and leave.
Okay so I admit I only learnt Mandarin to a standard enough to get me by, I've struggled and although I would have liked to of learnt small talk I haven't done. I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by foreigners and Chinese folk who can translate, so haven't ever had to worry too much about Mandarin. But now returning from a polite culture, with great customs and values about their way of life and how they should be amongst each other in their society. I guess the only way I can put it is, I've seen everything for what it really is - I've had/having my first(!) culture shock of China!
Yes after 8 months it is strange but Hong Kong is basically China. To return to a country so similar, seeing a different side of the political system, it's hard to settle back in. 'At issue was Hong Kong's unique "one country, two systems" mode of governance — guaranteed for 50 years when Britain handed the colony back to China amid pomp and ceremony in 1997.Under that agreement, Hong Kongers enjoy freedoms of which mainland Chinese can only dream.' I try to imagine how it would be for a Chinese person to travel to Hong Kong, to see what could be. The Hong Kong lifestyle, a Chinese culture that should be for them. Whereas Chinese citizens spend their days with their heads down, doing what they told to do and living their life to best they can without getting in trouble.
I've never quite realised how it is to live in a Communist country but coming back from Hong Kong for the third time, it has really opened my eyes..
www.thestar.com/news/article/991331 - This article gives an interesting, up to date insight between Hong Kong and China.

I finish this blog feeling quite emotional, for an issue I'm not too sure about; Speaking negatively? A great trip? This sudden 'culture shock'? Mum might be quite shocked at this statement, but I guess sometimes I don't have an answer for everything!! :) x x