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A few months before I flew to Ireland, I made a phone call to a dear friend of mine, Megan. The call’s purpose was to, I admit, brag of my upcoming study abroad trip. In seconds, however, I discovered that she, too, by complete coincidence, was to attend university in Dublin at the same time that I was to attend in Galway.
I do love it when the Universe plays tricks on us unsuspecting commoners. Surprises like that never cease to add a little flavor to the pan.
Megan came last weekend, the two of us reading books side-by-side in a student apartment bed meant for one when we weren’t out-on-the-town contributing to the general chaos of the city. The crowning achievement of our reunion, though, was neither finishing fantasy novels nor dancing in pubs. We gave that title to the 10-mile bike ride we took in Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands.
Ferry ride: peaceful. Bike ride: glorious. We rented cruisers and headed down the length of the island, passing horse-drawn carriages and stopping only to pet the ponies and look at the Bronze-Age settlements.
We shared a sandwich from the Jungle Cafe (which we had, the day before, purchased from the popular joint in Galway) over the edge of the cliffs at Dún Aonghasa. I bought a wool hat from an old lady and a postcard to use as a bookmark (as opposed to an old grocery receipt). And Megan, with her keen sense of direction, navigated us over old, stone walls and sunken grass to the “wormhole,” a swimming-pool-like rock formation at the base of the lower cliffs, east of the previously mentioned fortress.
Exhausted upon our return, we stopped for Korean food. It was well deserved, I assure you. 1500 calories burned, according to Megan’s apple watch.
I woke up this morning to 18 new bug bites, and my two from the previous days were quite inflamed and red. Nevertheless, I ended up joining the people on my dorm floor on a trip to a fishing village and the beach. I am honestly astonished by how many events I have been going to recently. It would not have been at all out of character for me to have taken the day to rest after everything that I’ve been up to for the last few days—the karaoke/hot pot dinner event of two days ago, and the hike I went on yesterday.
The hot pot dinner from a couple nights ago. The left side of the pot is a spicy broth, and the right side is a non-spicy ginseng broth
But, to explore as much as I can of Hong Kong before classes start, I’ve kept joining activities. And although I’ve been exhausted all the time–my legs feel ready to fall off from the steep uphill and downhill path from the hike yesterday, especially when we take a similarly steep path to the beach, it’s been worth it.
I’ve introduced myself countless times over the past week, my name, where I’m from, and my major (creative writing)—always a conversation starter that leads into a discussion of books, my planned path after college, etc.—but the conversations have all been really nice.
So, taking it from the top, the group met up at 1pm and walked to the closest MTR station. We scanned our Octopus cards (which are used primarily for paying for public transportation and at some stores, in addition to paying for the air conditioning and for laundry in the dorms) and found our first train. We stayed on for a few stops then switched trains, got off (scanned the Octopus card again, which calculates the charge based on where you first scanned it—I don’t have much experience with public transportation so I don’t know the system for paying for the metro in other places, but I assumed it would be more like buying a ticket for a particular stop; the Octopus method seemed a lot simpler). We got on a bus, and then we had arrived at the fishing village, where we had dim sum for lunch.
A view over the water at the fishing village
I’ve had dim sum before getting to Hong Kong, but this experience was distinct. To begin, when we got to the table, there were a couple tea pots filled with near-boiling water and an empty glass bowl. One member of our party, who is from Hong Kong, poured the hot water in the bowl, and began dipping the tips of everyone’s chopsticks, and then the cups, bowls, and spoons in the water to sanitize them, saying it was a tradition to ensure everything is fully cleaned.
After sanitizing the utensils and dishes
The flavors in the food were quite different to what I was used to when I’ve had dim sum at home. Also, rather than ordering dishes separately, we got several dishes for everyone to share and then divided the bill equally between all of us. I can use chopsticks fairly well, but I’m still trying to learn how utensils are used in Hong Kong—often, by using a fork or chopsticks with one hand to eat, and then holding a spoon with the other hand beneath the food, I assume in case anything falls.
Some of the dim sum dishes we had for lunchA custard bun
After lunch, we boarded another bus. I ended up sitting next to a guy from mainland China, and after exchanging information on where we’re from and a little bit of small talk, we began sharing songs. I’m not really one to start conversation, and he gave me the impression of not being super talkative either, but it was a nice way to exchange things about ourselves and the cultures we come from.
On the second bus toward our final destination (the beach), I hadn’t reached my seat before the bus started moving, and I didn’t walk toward my seat as much as I was propelled toward it.
I hadn’t thought to bring my swimsuit, so I sat on the beach with another student studying abroad, and we chatted about ourselves and our experiences of arriving in Hong Kong, but after that mostly just sat in silence with our thoughts, watching the view of the mountains and the water and the rest of our group playing in the water.
A little after sunset, we walked up to the bus stop. We had to wait 15 minutes since we had missed the last one, and when a bus arrived, I was very doubtful that we would all fit. And indeed, sardines could hardly be more packed more than we were. I could only hope that no one would fall over. People were packed up to the front door and if someone fell sideways at the front, they would’ve landed on the driver. There were too many feet for me to stand in a very stable way. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily claustrophobic, but I don’t really like people to be super close to me, and someone’s backpack was pressed against me for the whole ride, but I preferred many times to be in that packed bus than outside at mercy of the biting bugs. I was amazed that at the progressive stops people kept boarding.
At one particularly sharp stop, someone did fall on me, but I managed not to fall over completely. I had thought we were packed tightly enough that we couldn’t fall, but it was more like dominoes. Luckily only a few of us were affected. Then we were at the metro, and it was just a short bus ride home. The charge was around 6 HKD for that final bus ride to get back, but students get a discount if they say suk se (“dorms” in Cantonese) to the driver. I gave myself the rest of the night off and ate a cup of noodles for dinner – my dorm floor has a machine for hot water and cold water, which can I just say is amazing.
Today’s adventure was a hike along Dragon’s Back Trail. We were supposed to meet at the metro station at 2pm, but me and one other student missed the bus to the station because it was too full, so we walked the 13 minutes to the metro station. I’ve gotten used to walking a lot since I got here, and walking in hot weather, though my body is still getting used to it: my ankles are stiff and a little bit painful but not unbearably so.
Most places I would need to go are about a 15-20 minute walk away from campus, including the closest Community Testing Center (to get the required PCR tests after arriving), and a mall to buy supplies or get food (I didn’t realize until I was allowed to eat out in a restaurant again after 7 days of quarantine/medical surveillance that the canteens on campus allowed takeout). I was glad I was going on the trip in a group, as I most likely would’ve gotten lost if navigating by myself the bus rides and train stops to our final destination.
The view from the trail
The hike was supposed to be 2 hours long, but it ended up being closer to 4 hours. I have never in my life sweat as much as on that hike, and I don’t know if even waterproof sunscreen would have been enough. Luckily most of the trail was shaded by trees and bushes.
The trail ahead of us
At the end of the hike, my part of the group fell behind and were momentarily concerned we had taken the wrong path, and, to complete the picture, it was getting dark and we were too far behind to hear anyone in our larger group. Luckily, cell phones prevailed and we were able to contact the rest of the group. We sped up and were able to join the others. On the last stretch of our walk, we passed by the largest spider I have ever seen (excluding tarantulas). It was probably a good two or three inches in diameter, sitting in its web just off the path.
One of the dishes we had for dinner
After the hike, we all went out to dinner. Over dinner, as I’m a creative writing major, the conversation came to books, my favorite book, favorite author, etc. One person at the table asked about the first book that started my love for reading and writing. Up to this point in my life, I guess I had never realized the extent to which globalization causes the exchange of popular culture between countries. Someone suggested Geronimo Stilton (until writing this, I had not realized that this book series originated from Italy), and when I brought up A Series of Unfortunate Events, everyone exploded with excitement. I hadn’t expected that, or really for anyone to have recognized the series, much less to apparently have grown up with the same series that I had grown up with in the U.S. But I guess that, given how books, movies, songs, and other media originating outside the U.S. have become famous within the U.S., it’s not surprising that U.S. media would also be well-known outside the U.S.
Classes start in a few days but I’m looking forward to exploring more sights before starting!
For the past month, I have been preparing for September 21st, 2022. The day I, and 3 other girls, fly 3 hours 43 minutes to Dallas, Texas then 8 hours 56 minutes to London, England. I am grateful to have traveled internationally a few times before and know what to expect but never have I had to pack and prepare for 4 months away in a different country.
So far, I have to say that picking out classes was the peak stress mark. So many options and things to consider from how the classes are graded to if there are prerequisites or certain requirements. Although, I think I was finally able to pick a great selection and I am excited to see what university is like there, especially the teaching styles.
In terms of everything else, I am grateful for the support and the preparation IPO and previous England participating students have given us. Without them, I would have been lost and forgotten a lot of things, especially little things such as getting voltage converters, a medical check-up, and an international phone plan before I go. In addition, the other girls and I have been chatting with each other about what to pack. I have to say jackets and rain boots have been at the top of the list.
I want to say, what a crazy time to be heading to England as the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned 70 years (longest in England history) has recently passed away. However, to be able to witness some of the impacts her death has had, to be able to get money with her face still on it before they start changing it, and to see the impacts of her son, King Charles III, becoming king will be fascinating to me. I love history and England is definitely the place for such exploration.
I have never been so stressed and excited at the same time as I now count down the days, hours, and minutes till I arrive at the airport for my flights. Thank you, IPO for this adventure opportunity. England here we come 🙂
The slow start I’ve had has not hindered me. It took my companion and I a good week-and-a-half to truly settle in, but we have already incorporated ourselves into a friend group consisting of, primarily, Germans with business majors, along with a few outliers on the side, us Americans included. There are twelve of us total, a group large enough to ensure there is always a plan brewing. Thanks to the ambitions of one of us, Hedda from Sweden, we were able to organize a two-hour bus ride to the Cliffs of Moher last weekend.
The bus was public, no bathrooms aboard, no local guide on the speaker announcing the arrival of a castle on the left or a battlefield on the right. We preferred it this way. It allowed more time to pick the brains of our friends and find pockets for laughter over an inside joke that’s made its presence known to every social outing.
At the Cliffs, our group split in two: those of us who wanted to walk the extent of the trail and those of us who preferred to lounge near the entrance. Me being an avid hiker, naturally I chose to walk the extent. We ventured far enough that the majority of the other visitors fizzled out, a charming perk that allowed us relief from what is, quite honestly, an indisputable tourist trap.
Finally alone, the appreciation for the place became insuppressible. One is dwarfed by the Cliffs. There’s no room for gawking, no room for noise. Each moment only allows its guests the opportunity to remember their own pitiful insignificance in the shadow of Mother Nature’s complete, green, frightening reign. I was inclined to fear Her as much as she invited me to take pleasure in the view I was so generously offered.
I woke up the morning of the 16th of August knowing the day had finally arrived when I would depart for Hong Kong, all nerves. All the preparations made: airplane flights, quarantine hotel arrangements, visa, PCR test result back negative…
The first plane of my journey
My first flight was out of Portland on Air Canada, to Vancouver. I sat one row back from the front of the plane, with no one sitting next to me, enjoying the view out the window and picking up on a few words in French every so often as the flight attendants made announcements in English and French, and amazed by the numerous small islands that passed beneath us.
My second flight required me to check all my documents again at the gate—a three-day quarantine hotel reservation, visa, negative PCR test result (the sample taken within 48 hours of the time my flight flying into Hong Kong departed), vaccination record. And then to boarding. When I got on the plane, a calming music was playing over the speakers, which made the moment feel all the more bittersweet. In a rush, I was seized by a quote from Sam in The Fellowship of the Ring, Sam stopping behind Frodo in the wheat field at the beginning of their journey, telling him that if he took one more step, he would be farther from home than he had ever been before. Once my plane arrived at its destination, that would be the case for me. The wheat waved before my eyes as I stepped forward to the next cabin.
11 hours later, I arrived in Korea, and around 5 hours after that, at midnight, I arrived in Hong Kong. The airport was emptier than I had ever seen one, and the path they had constructed for us to get our required PCR and RAT (rapid antigen test) reminded me of the line to get on a ride at an amusement park, but after everyone has left for the day. We presented our QR codes (we had to fill out a Health Declaration form before arrival, with information on vaccination status, quarantine hotel booking, plans after arriving in Hong Kong, etc., and the QR codes held the information from the Declaration) and got a test kit and a lanyard with a code on it, got the tests, left them in a bin (they used the numbers/code on the side to connect each of us with our test results), got on a tram to somewhere else in the airport, through more checkpoints for documents, to the baggage claim, and then into a line for a bus to send us to our designated quarantine hotels.
My first view of Hong Kong, on the way to the quarantine hotel
I was dropped off at my hotel around 2 am, after nearly 24 full hours of travel. I checked in at the desk, signed agreements, received a stack of papers, then got handed a bag of my dinner, got put in an elevator, and sent to my floor with my luggage.
Over the following days, I had to take a RAT every day, submit a picture and the result to an online program and leave the test outside my room, and take my temperature once in the morning and once in the afternoon, and record if I was feeling any Covid symptoms.
The view from my quarantine hotel room
And then, on the 20th of August, I checked out and boarded an Uber for campus. I had to check in with a provisionary ID card and have my temperature checked (temperatures are checked at every entrance to campus, as well as to the residence halls and cafeterias). This was my first real exposure to the heat (around 90 degrees Fahrenheit and humid), as the hotel had been at an unchangeable 68 degrees AC temperature, and I was hauling around two suitcases and a backpack. I got my student ID card, room key, key to the unit box, some disposable masks, and a package of 7 RAT tests (I was required to take a RAT test for every day until the 10th day after arrival).
The way dorms are set up at HKBU is entirely different than at Linfield: there are two towers, each 20 floors tall, and my dorm is on the 17th floor. The dorm itself looks like a typical dorm room, albeit arranged somewhat differently than the other dorm rooms I’ve lived in before. There’s a closet with some drawers and a rod for hanging clothes, drawers under the bed, a desk with two book shelves above it, and several drawers underneath it, as well as a fridge and freezer.
My dorm room before moving in
Rather than a whole floor sharing a bathroom, in the arrangement here, two dorm rooms (both doubles) share a bathroom—two sinks, one toilet, and one shower. There’s also a rod for hanging clothes to dry spanning the ceiling of the dorm room, and a station for hot and chilled water in the lounge on my floor, which is extremely convenient.
Students pay for AC and laundry with what’s called an Octopus card, which holds money. There’s a machine connected to the AC unit, and a separate one for the washers and dryers, by which to pay with the Octopus.
On this first day, I started by walking the 15 minutes to Lok Fu, a mall nearby, with someone else on my floor, sweat pouring down my face (not an exaggeration) because of the humidity. And for an awakening to the different weather patterns in Hong Kong, just before reaching the mall, it went from clear skies to pouring, though the rain was welcome in the heat.
Class doesn’t start until the 5th of September, so I have the next 16 days to explore Hong Kong and get used to living on campus, but those are stories for another day.
