Hong Kong is like a weird, humid metropolis sprawling with people, markets, and public intoxication. There is also a large amount of history and colonial identity, but also massive apartment complexes that kind of look like slums. That said, I can understand why people fall in love with this city. There are some really beautiful parts, and the energy that is radiating from each corner of the island is immense. There is definitely not a shortage of things to do here. I arrived at 7 AM on Saturday morning Hong Kong time. I was dead tired because I took one of the bargain flights at two in the morning and didn't sleep at all on the flight. The ride was rough and uncomfortable; I definitely regretting wanting to save thirty dollars, but it was character building non-the-less (stay tuned for a post about the best bargain airlines around Asia). Regardless, I picked myself with some eye cream and brushed teeth, then proceeded to take on the day. The first thing on the list was Big Buddha, also called Tian Tan Buddha on Ngong Ping Lantau island. A cable car takes you a few kilometers up the side of the mountain from sea level on the island, giving you gorgeous views of the extremely blue water and also a lot of the industry of Hong Kong. Regardless, it was beautiful. I didn't realize the natural beauty of the archipelago; with buzzing forests of thick and lush trees. It would be very easy to forget that one of the world's most populated cities is about one kilometer away. There's a constructed path around Lantau island for hikers to reach Big Buddha by foot, but it looked absolutely insane. I think when I come back that is something I want to try. After the gondola ride to big Buddha, I got out and walked through a touristy area that resembles an open air mall leading to a plaza of statues. When you proceed through, you are met with about five floors with of stairs to get to the actual Buddha. Wow. I was definitely winded when I got to the top and was greeted by the giant presence of the Buddha. I had walked all of the steps, carry on and all. It was gorgeous up there, though. I am still blown away by the views and the very stature of big Buddha. It was truly an incredible experience seeing the monks from the near by Po Lin Monastery perform their morning prayer. After about an hour of soaking in the beauty of it all, I descended the stairs and continued my exploration. There is a path that is part of the attraction called the Wisdom Walk, which I walked until its end, and I do not recommend doing. It was essentially a paved path through the forest to a look out point in which you could not see anything. It was also, however, the trail head for a more intense hike, which seemed extremely cool. Oh well, I got some more steps in for the day. I proceeded to take the gondola down to sea level a little after noon. I hopped on the MTR, which is the Hong Kong version of the subway, and headed underneath the harbor to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST), which is a bustling part of Hong Kong on mainland China. I got off at TST station, of course going out the wrong exit, and being railroaded by hand outs and throngs of people. The TST area is home to luxury shopping, fake luxury shopping, and throngs of foreigners. A lot of tourists come to this area to shop at one of the various Chanels, Diors, or Guccis. It was also home to many cheap guest houses, which was why I was attracted to the area. It is kind of odd because the main Streets, such as Nathan Road, are lined with stores that are a bit run down looking, yet sell nice things, but as soon as you turn down a side street, it is all run down. Small restaurants, guest houses, small stores, and 7-11s occupy this area. It is as though the main streets have been given a face lift: purely topical in its looks. Also, towering above you in every direction are those high rise apartment buildings that I mentioned before. I decided that was something I was not extremely crazy about. It took about forty five minutes to find my guest house, InnSpirit, which would have taken five if I had just read a map initially-- but ya win some ya loose some. ![]() InnSpirit was amazing. If you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Hong Kong, I would highly recommend this guest house. I have nothing to say that contradicts any of its previous glowing reviews. I think the funniest part of Hong Kong culture is the juxtaposition of nice and clean with dirty, old, and not taken care of. InnSpirit is located in a building with some old Chinese restaurants, with a steel stair case and mops in the stair wells. And when you arrive onto the sixth floor where the hostile is located, you are greeted by the cleanest space you have probably seen since the Hong Kong airport. In fact, the owner Samuel, was actually in the middle of cleaning everything as I arrived. After a painless check in and an hour long nap, it was time to get back out there. I decided to head north of TST to the Monkok area. I managed to get lost a dozen times in the area, wandering through markets of live chickens, giant swimming gold fish, live crabs, and other random assortments of goods. It is the classic story of markets where you are so overwhelmed with the sounds and the smells of live animals and cooking food and fish being killed right in front me that I really just stumbled through. I managed to make my way to a dumpling restaurant that has a Michelin star in the Tai Kok Tsui area by the Olympic Mall. I was starving from not eating all day, so I ordered plate loads of things: fried need dumplings (they were eh), streamed shrimp (so good), pork buns (so good I got a second plate), and raw pork spring rolls (was okay, just very different). The entire meal ended up costing about 16 USD. I thought that was the greatest part of all. After eating, I set out in search of the Ladies market, which took me about an hour and a half to find due to the inability to cross streets and a faulty navigation system. ![]() Crossing freeways and wandering through some sketchy neighborhoods, in hind sight, may have not been the best idea, but it all turned out okay. The Ladies Market is basically the epicenter of knock off luxury goods (watches, hand bags, wallets) as well as various silk goods, cheap clothing, and other random electronics. You get a bit of a rush when you attempt to bargain-- which you should most definitely do. It can make your HK dollars go a lot farther. That said, after about twenty stalls many of the goods start to look identical, and for me the overwhelming nature was too much. I hopped on the closest sub way and took it back to TST, with actually only a five minute walk away from my guest house. I took a shower, freshened up, and put some concealer over the bags underneath my eyes, and took a cab to the Ritz Carlton. When you're in Hong Kong, you have to head up to Ozone, the world's tallest bar, for at least two drinks (there is a minimum spending limit, of course). The view is best on a clear evening, but the spectacle of the hotel and the bar itself will make up for some clouds, in case you are worried about it. As you would expect the Ritz Carlton is beautiful, iconic and elegant. As you ride from the 103 floor lobby to the 139 floor bar, your ears will pop a few times and maybe experience some motion sickness as I did. When the elevator opens you are greeted by dimmed lighting with accents of blue, and the pumping bass of techno music. Ozone is laid out more similar to a lounge, rather than a bar. Most are clad in hand bags and shoes that are worth more than a year of my rent. I found this pretty comical, as my modest Madewell dress and shoes were considered peasants wear. More importantly: the drinks. Wow. The person I was with and myself ordered four different drinks, each wonderful, strong, and aesthetic. If I had to recommend one, it's the Dragontini: so good. So so so good. Most important: the view. I guess I wasn't sure what I was expecting from Ozone. I first didn't think it would strike more resemblance to a club than a bar, but more than that, I thought the view would be more accessible. The outdoor portion is only outdoor because of the open air roof. There are floor to ceiling glass windows, with segments of wall inbetween, and a bar situated in front of those windows. The seating for this bar is first come first serve, so it is not typical you will be able to find a seat. We were not. It also slightly uncomfortable when you are looking over strangers shoulders to try to see the view, as there is no empty space in front of any of the Windows. Once we racked up a sizable bill, we took a taxi across the harbor to Lan Kwai Fong, the debated center of night life in Hong Kong.
When we got out of the taxi a little past midnight, my peers from all across the world were drinking in the street. Another overwhelming experience in Hong Kong. The bars line up side by side, playing throw back hits from the US as loud as humanly possible. All of the drinks are so expensive in the bar, so everyone buys their alcohol from 7-11 and drinks in the streets. This is why it is affectionately called club 7-11. When in Rome, right? I grabbed a beer and roamed the streets while trying to take it all in. When I finally did decide to enter a bar, beers were about $11USD each. That is currently pushing my college student budget. I then really understood why 7-11 was the better choice. Regardless, it was so much fun to get to dance and laugh while singing along to some of the best throw backs of the last ten years. LKF, you are something else. Around two in the morning I decided it was about time to call it a night. The taxi home took about thirty minutes with traffic and all, and cost about $12USD. Every Trip Advisor post about Hong Kong that you will read says public transportation is relatively cheap, and I agree. You will definitely not break the bank when taking a taxi in this city. It felt good to be able to go to bed. I checked my apple health and it read twenty miles for the day. No wonder my feet throbbed. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. My first day in Hong Kong was unreal.
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This past Monday I went shopping in a popular university section of Seoul called Hongdae. It is known as hip, young, and potentially hipster. Overall this part of the city is lively and teeming with people regardless of the day or time. I went shopping by myself because I just needed a few things and I wanted to take the time to just wander. I initially needed only skin care items, but as you would expect I ended up going into many clothing stores ranging from department stores, international chains, and small Korean boutiques. The following is meant to be a comical depiction of my experiences. As I re-read, I have found that some of my wit can be seen as negative, but it is pure fun.
All in all, my first real all-out shopping experience was great. Hilarious at times, but really great. Feeling the energy of Seoul and all of the people there, especially Hongdae, is something like no other. If it wasn’t for a weight limit and limited baggage amount home, I would definitly do this more often.
Especially by myself. Shopping by myself has always been one of those things that I have loved, but doing it in Seoul takes it to a new level of being alone. Because i cannot read or speak Korean, it feels as though I am in a world of my own. Aimlessly going wherever I please. Sometimes Seoul feels like a dream. I know I should have seen it coming. But it came and it went without leaving a trace (thankfully).
I’m talking about the tragedy of getting sick abroad. I’m not talking about a cold, or even a sinus infection. I’m talking about stomach pains, up all night, nutrition deprived, everything leaving your body, sick. It robs you of twenty four hours of your life, and then it’s gone (if you’re lucky, like I was). I don’t know, I should have seen it coming. I ate way too much and just did not consider the consequences. The good news is, I was prepared. If you have ever traveled for a long(ish) period of time, you know that Tums, Ibuprofen, Immodium, and Peptobismol are necessities. Depending on where you travel chances are you will not find them anywhere. It is truly a circumstance of ‘you do not know what you have until it’s not available in your local drugstore and it’s gone’ type of thing. Sad times. Anyway, yesterday I went nuts on just about every food group. I ate tacos and full-fat ice-cream and croissants and spicy snails. What was I thinking…? Also, shameless plug, all of these things are available within about a square mile of each other in Seoul. I think we all have those days, though. We just live life and decide to go for it and eat everything. Some of us, like myself, pay for it later. Unfortunately, spending a day cooped up and in bed in your flat abroad is not exactly an exciting day. It’s actually kind of sad and slightly traumatic depending on who you are. My best advice: just be prepared and understand it’s going to happen at some point. Also, maybe just try to eat in moderation. Try new things in moderation. And always stay hydrated. Don’t do what I did. Time abroad is supposed to be a positive experience no matter what. So if you’re sick, listen to your body and take a rest. It’s a great time to catch up on Facebook, Netflix, and maybe even send your parents an email. Definitely drink some water, and if you’ve never have had to deal with sickness by yourself, read up on it. It’s a good life lesson. Just like everything else studying abroad, it’s a time to grow up. Everything can be made productive, if you try hard enough. After sleeping for about 13 strait hours yesterday, watching multiple Aziz Ansari comedies on Netflix, drinking a few gallons of water, and putting on a face mask to take time and treat my skin with some respect, I feel worlds better today. A day of recovery never hurt anybody, in fact usually it makes life a lot better. Today I haven’t eaten a whole lot, but Ive written a whole lot of new content for this blog as well as my Medium site. I also took the time to make some moves in the new Harry Potter (a personal favorite of mine right now), and even go to a coffee shop to drink a latte and do some school work. I’ve been thinking about planning a few trips out of Korea (hopefully Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines and Malaysia)… If you have any suggestions, feel free to reach out! I’d love to open up some dialogue about airlines and cool destinations. Anyway, in conclusion, being sick sucks. It really does, no matter where you are in the world. But like anything else, be prepared. It’s a test of who you are, so make sure you come out on the right foot. And, if you can, make the most of the day. Studying abroad is full of all kinds of enjoyable moments, a day in bed could potentially be seen as an enjoyable one, especially if you’ve been needing an excuse to slow down. ![]() One of the things I knew I would want for my living space when I arrived in Seoul was a decorated living space. I decided to do this in the form of a collage in my small room on the wall above my bed in my small apartment. To say that my living situation is humble is an understatement. It’s city living. It’s charming, but cozy. Anyway, this collage is of places I've been, things I've gotten, and just general things that remind me of my time here. It’s important to use things that you have accumulated in the place that you are in, because it gives you a sense of accomplishment. If you ever feel as though you have done nothing in the new city, look at your wall and see everything you’ve done. Remember those inspiring times in your new city. And take the time to smile about it. Not only is collage-ing the wall of your living space make it more personalized, it also gives you something to do. That may sound odd, but it is so important to keep yourself busy when you're in a new place, and hanging things on your wall is a form of creating. Like painting or other forms of art, it's constructive and rewarding. I tend to save things up and when I'm feeling a little lonely or homesick I'll get my tape out and start hanging things up. Because I've done this moving to a new place and starting new as a young person thing so many times, I understand it can be hard. Especially when you have some time to yourself. A word of advice: love those moments too, and make them constructive. Make them a moment you can be proud of, even if you were sad or missing home. The worst thing you can do is just sit and think (unless you are meditating, because that is something I always support). So far, I’ve done a lot in Seoul in the past almost three weeks. I have brochures of castles and museums and fortresses as well as tickets and maps. I’m excited to see how my wall grows in the next five months and all of the things I acquire. It also motivates me to go out and do more so I can add to my wall. Overall, creating something like this is something to be proud of and something to make your new home feel more comfortable when you move to a new place. Because I have done it many times, I can tell you that sometimes it is hard. When I first moved to Cape Town I felt so alone and so lost, even though I shared an apartment with two other girls.
At night I would look out the window onto the city skyline of Cape Town and Table Mountain and feel so alone; instead, I should have been feeling inspired. I knew at the time people would kill to be in my place, but I couldn’t fight the feeling of sadness. I will not make that mistake again, and I never want any of you to go through that either. So whether it is writing, reading, creating collages, or just being out and about, find that hobby and do it. Really immerse yourself and commit to it, and have a good time. I’m about to head onto my next adventure to add to my wall, I’ll write soon! ![]() I love the weekends on my little street in Seoul. There are cute couples walking their dog, coffee shops opening their doors and windows to release the smells of espresso, and an overall relaxed vibe. The trees that line the streets are about five feet apart, and about twenty feet tall. To my perception of city standards, they are huge. The leaves they drop are bigger than my two feet placed together. The beautiful trees are still as green as mid-July back in the States. You see, in Seoul it will stay warm until the middle to end of October. I really love that. When I go to walk in the morning to fetch some coffee and some fresh air, the air typically has a bit of a dampness to it that I perceive as cool. But like clockwork, around ten thirty the air becomes warm and it is time to put a sun dress on. Today, particularly, on this lovely Saturday I got up around nine, and I went to get some coffee. There are about eight coffee shops within a five minute walking distance of my apartment. I think that is one of the funniest things about Seoul. They all have their own feel, but generally all of them are modern and clean looking. Wood accents, freshly polished steel, and thick paned windows that are the length of the shop that can be opened. The breeze flowing in and out mixed with the sounds of steaming milk is something I consider to be amazing. I feel so at home on my little street. I got a haircut for the first time today from a barber shop not three minutes down the street. Similar to the coffee shops, the place I got my hair cut, entitled ‘Hair Cut’, was clean, sleek and modern. All of the people working there were young Koreans that spoke very good English. Not going to lie, it made me feel very hip. The haircut was well done, quick, and cheap. I could not ask for better service but also better quality. When I think about weekends on my street, strolling along, I smile. Even though I am in the heart of Seoul, it seems as though my neighborhood is a bit slowed down, a bit removed. For anyone who will be staying in Seoul either short term or long term, feel free to contact me for the location and AirBnB listing. Have a great weekend, everyone! One of the first days Luke and I were in Seoul, we spent the day with a friend Luke met in Turkey. Kyu was born and raised in Seoul, and it was by sheer luck that Luke and Kyu became friends and galavanted around the Turkish country side together. Kyu gave us an awesome tour of some of the best parts of Seoul including the traditional village of Namsangol Hanok, Itaewon, Insadong, and the Seoul Floating Island. To say that we had a great day was an understatement; it was punctuated by beers and fried chicken on the banks of the Han River. Something all ex pats in Seoul should do at least once. Being able to buy beer at 7/11, which by the way is literally every block here, is something I would have never dreamed my life was lacking in the US. But something Kyu said stuck with me. When we were standing on the subway, I noticed that I was the only female in a tank top dress. It's one of my favorites. A silk number from Madewell that makes me feel like a classy lady (you can check out my Facebook prof pic if you're curious). Anyway, I asked Kyu about why no one else wore tanks, let alone exposed their shoulders. Kyu replied, 'Koreans are very conservative, they tend to have a mind set that covers their shoulders and chest up.' I laughed at this because most young Korean girls prance around in short skirts or are PDAing with their beaus way hard. Kyu added a moment later, 'but it's okay for you, you're a foreigner. Plus, they're always going to stare at you, and that's okay.' It is only now on this Sunday afternoon as I ride the subway alone in another tank dress that I realize how true it is. Even when I am not wearing tank tops, I am still given a second look. Although ex pats have become somewhat of a cultural fixture in Korea, it is still not common place to see Americans, or really any ethnic group besides Koreans. At all. It's funny, sometimes when Luke and I go grocery shopping to the Korean equivalent of Walmart, we run into ex pats. We smile to each other because it's then we reaffirm that we are not alone in a country that is not our own. I guess the point I am trying to make is that it's weird to me feeling as though I am on display. It is something I am not used to, at all, but it is something that will be common place for me in the next half year. I love that Korea challenges every part of my personality and character. Seoul has fostered so much growth in me even in the last two weeks. I cannot wait to see what else is in store. But on a lighter note, here are some pictures from the day... |
Author: Allyson DitizioGeographer, yogi and occasionally creative writer. Archives
September 2016
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