no king kong in Hong Kong
I managed to sleep for eight hours on the 15 hour flight... which was a blessing. We landed around 7pm on July 5... baggage claim, customs, et al was a breeze, mainly because there is strength in numbers. I was relieved to be navigating a strange airport and its potential mysteries with new friends.
After losing everyone while waiting for my luggage (one's bags are the last ones to arrive in the carosel when they are the first to be dumped on the flight)... Steve and the Princeton crew found the counter which handles the shuttle to the Salisbury. We managed to follow the shuttle directives (it was a little surreal) wound up on the bus with more tickets than we had people. That was a bigger deal to the shuttle driver than it was to us... everyone has their own priorities after 15 hours on a plane.
It was fun finally connecting the dots on the bus: artist with work, words with faces, etc. Upon arrival at the Salisbury we made our way through the surreal lobby (with duty free in tow) to check in with the color coordinated staff (very Lawrence Welk... but this observation was lost on the Aussies... ) ... there was a message from Irene - (wow... this is real!)... and a few surprises. I didn't expect a private room.
We met the rest of the western team (Hugh, Matt and Sarah) in the lobby and reviewed tomorrow's itinerary... the arrival of the other team members, etc. I must confess... I was distracted by the need of wifi since the Salisbury only offered a tragic internet corner in the damp cafe downstairs.
Hetty and I agreed to do a wee walk-about in the rain... since I was in search of an ATM for the Construction Bank of China and free wifi to confirm my arrival with the Harryman. No luck on either front... Hetty was together enough to email Harry for me from her blackberry while I stood in the doorway of the Starbuck's... (directly across the intersection from the Salisbury Y!) and searched for a signal...
It was a good thing, having a private room. I took every advantage of it.... stayed up late, did laundry, unpacked paint and paper... and fell asleep to an american tv show... soon enough these western comforts will be far, far away.
After losing everyone while waiting for my luggage (one's bags are the last ones to arrive in the carosel when they are the first to be dumped on the flight)... Steve and the Princeton crew found the counter which handles the shuttle to the Salisbury. We managed to follow the shuttle directives (it was a little surreal) wound up on the bus with more tickets than we had people. That was a bigger deal to the shuttle driver than it was to us... everyone has their own priorities after 15 hours on a plane.
It was fun finally connecting the dots on the bus: artist with work, words with faces, etc. Upon arrival at the Salisbury we made our way through the surreal lobby (with duty free in tow) to check in with the color coordinated staff (very Lawrence Welk... but this observation was lost on the Aussies... ) ... there was a message from Irene - (wow... this is real!)... and a few surprises. I didn't expect a private room.
We met the rest of the western team (Hugh, Matt and Sarah) in the lobby and reviewed tomorrow's itinerary... the arrival of the other team members, etc. I must confess... I was distracted by the need of wifi since the Salisbury only offered a tragic internet corner in the damp cafe downstairs.
Hetty and I agreed to do a wee walk-about in the rain... since I was in search of an ATM for the Construction Bank of China and free wifi to confirm my arrival with the Harryman. No luck on either front... Hetty was together enough to email Harry for me from her blackberry while I stood in the doorway of the Starbuck's... (directly across the intersection from the Salisbury Y!) and searched for a signal...
It was a good thing, having a private room. I took every advantage of it.... stayed up late, did laundry, unpacked paint and paper... and fell asleep to an american tv show... soon enough these western comforts will be far, far away.
Labels: Hong Kong, moving cultures
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