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Hong Kong1
What can I say? Hong Kong is nice. Well we can add a new country to our list: Hong Kong. I didn't know it was a different country, but it most deffinatly is. Our first implications of this idea came in quite different ways. First: After buying our train tickets for the 20 hour ride, we were handed a slip that warned the buyers of a train ticket, that the train company was not responsible if one was to be rejected by Hong Kong, and to have "...all neccessary visas and permits..." to enter. We disregarded this. Our next hint was that Hostel World listed Hong Kong under the country column, not the cities in China column. We again refrained from accepting the information thus far stated and proceded along our planned destination not ever thinking about our one-entry visa for China.
Finnally the moment of truth came! As Randy stepped up to the customs counter (at the Shanghai terminal for trains leaving the country) his passport was readily stamped and he was sent along his way. This gave me much hope being next up; and sure enough I was stamped, handed a piece of small paper and sent too along my way. I thought for sure
Shanghai1
The Shanghai skyline as seen from The Bund we had made it. Alas! It was to be a short lived emotion of euforia, shortly replaced by the feeling of utter loss, confusion, anguish, despair, for lack of better words: the sence that I had just made a horribly stupid mistake.
After grieving for some time, then having Randy take my picture so I would never forget that honorless day, I got over myself and began thinking of our next course of action. We realized that the slip of paper handed to us at the counter read (in the most polite and respectible words) that our visa for China had expired and we were no longer welcome untill we had paid them a rediculous fee and wasted a whole day in the local embassy of the Chinesse in Hong Kong (we havn't really gone through what it takes yet; but I am assuming the worst from now on). So now that we are here out of China; I am actually finding myself going to pay money to get back in this country that I would care to only see once, and then never ever again. I have enjoyed everything I have seen so far, and what awaits is
Hong Kong2
Skyline as seen from the "Star" Ferry in the middle of Victoria Bay going to be greater still. But the feeling remains, I hope it changes, but as of now, I don't want to be back in China...
Shanghai was very nice. The skyline seen from The Bund is a spectacular site indeed. The Shanghai Museum was full of ancient pricless works from historic China. The food was fantasic, no matter how dilapidated the ramshackled, run-down place where food is cooked, or rather, chaotically put together in no understandable fashion. But the people have yet to entice me into a reputable attitude. The people I have actually talked to have been very nice, and I think it is my lack of understanding of their language, customs, and overall way of life. I am trying my best though.
I don't understand the people. They are so different from the rest of the world I have seen. There seems to be little thought of others, no less tourists. People don't even seem to notice traffic signs to most exents. It doesn't matter if I was by myself, or with 30 other people, crossing the street in a crosswalk is as close as I have come to playing Russia Rullet. Rome was a crazy city where people jaywalked like they owned the steet itself. New York people know that if they go in masses that cab drivers won't hit them all. But here; no. All I know is that it works for the people here, and I have yet to see anyone be hurt or die.
I will do my best to update pictures as soon a possible, but I don't gaurantee anything. Tonight Randy and I have witnessed another great wonder of the World. The Hong Kong skyline and the light/music show that happens ever night at eight o'clock in the evening. Thirty some building on both sides of the Victory Bay light up in breath-taking colors and cordination. How they got that way, synchronized to the same music, I can only imagine. It is a great site and I did get a video clip of it, but it does not do it justice. No one knows what great things tomorrow holds; but we will all discover, wheather we want to or not.
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