Blogs from Hong Kong, Asia - page 353

We raced the sun around the world and met it in Hong Kong on Friday at 5:40am, Hong Kong time (Thursday at 2:40 Taos time). Our plane and its 400 passengers completed the long 14 and 1/2 hour stretch across the Pacific and landed in a sea of dark fog. The Hong Kong airport is miraculously clean and so are its people due to the peroidic automatic hand sanitizer dispensers. Upon departing the plane, we were greated with thermometers in search of the bird flu. We now await our 9:05am flight to Bangkok, Thailand where we will spend a night, then on to Kathmandu. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!... read more

Ever since I was in 12th grade and read an article about Hong Kong and how great the city was I have always said I would move there and life would be better. I’m convinced after being there it probably would. Hong Kong is a marvelous place, a mix of traditional and modern, both in the right amounts. Most of the ship (580 people) bailed on this wonderful city and went to Beijing, China. I decided way back in August when I needed to make the decision whether or not to purchase the Chinese Visa that I was going to spend my 5 days in Hong Kong. On the first day I went on the city orientation. Like many before it we were paraded around like third graders on a field trip, even having to keep ... read more

Here are some pictures for y'all hope you enjoy!... read more

Getting through paperwork I've been waiting for the U.S. State Department to grant my medical clearance for my Fulbright project in Hong Kong for several weeks now. Because I'm blind, the doctor required more medical documentation than is typically required of other grantees. My general practitioner wrote a letter detailing the kinds of supports I need to function independently in daily life. My coordinator for disability services at my university suggested language for the general practitioner's letter. Then, I had to sign a release that would allow the letter to be sent to the state department. The State Department physician even contacted the US Consulate in Hong Kong to ask them questions about me. (What these question were, I do not know.) I'm reminded of the days in K-12 school when IEP meetings were had ... read more

Getting Accepted to FulBright I applied for a Fulbright grant to conduct my dissertation research for a Ph.D. in special education in September of last year. On August 19th of 2005 I was notified that I received the funding! Ever since then I've begun planning for my trip. Details,Details Since I'm blind, I've had to think about arranging even more details than the average person. I've decided not to take my Seeing Eye dog, Jill, with me. In her middle age she's getting a little growly. I'm concerned about the impression she'd make in Hong Kong if she growled or barked at people. So, my dad and step-mom will lovingly care for her when I'm gone. I'll go back to using the white cane to get around in Asia. But, I've heard that blind people ... read more