Swine Flu, Typhoons, and Noodle Soup

I am writing this from work, which may or may not be allowed...I never did quite finish reading through the fifty-page packet of Turner Broadcasting Rules and Regulations. In my defense, it was also double-sided and in 10 pt. font.

I, along with the rest of the Columbia students in the Columbia Experiences Overseas (conveniently acronymed CEO in a prediction of our certain future titles) have moved into our housing in the NTT International House of Hong Kong Baptist University at 32 Renfrew Road in Kowloon Tong on Kowloon Tong Island, Hong Kong. Quite a long address, but you should send me mail/cookies anyways. The housing is less dorm-like or apartment-like and more like a low-budget hotel. We have (almost) the entire floor, and the rooms come with identical double beds, maid service (yay for fresh towels daily!), tiny showers, and "tea-making facilities"...also known as a hot water heater. We also have refridgerators and color TVs, with CNN (represent) being the only English channel. My view from the 11th story is dingy by day, but a beautiful city panoroma at night. Looking at the colorful, brilliant lights of the city skyline it is easy to see where Hong Kong's huge pollution and environmental problems may begin. But at least I have a cool view. Still trying to figure out how to upload pictures.

So far I haven't done much but commute to and from work, run around the office, try to find food, and get lost between my dorm and the subway station. My office is in an area called Quarry Bay which is a megaplex of offices on the north end of Hong Kong Island. I live in a quieter residential area on Kowloon so theoretically I could take a ferry to work, although so far I'm still trying to figure out the subway systems. My one experience in a taxi was a bit hilarious: I had my destination written in Cantonese on a post-it which the guy seemed to understand fine and we took off, no problem. However, he five minutes later started trying to have an urgent conversation with me, the only words of which i understood was "mother," "go now," and "okay." I somehow took this to mean we were picking up his mother on the way to my destination. I soon realized this was probably not the case when he started pulling up to other taxis and trying it pawn me off on them, eventually just depositing me and all my bags on a random side street in Central Hong Kong.. Seems his mother was more important than my taxi fare.

Today i also spent some time at the Mandarin Oriental (even more politically incorrect given the location) with my boss, interviewing the "Chinese equivalent to Oprah" who has currently sold 10 million copies of her book on pop-Confucianism. My favorite part (and the only part I can actually mention until the article comes out) is when her assistant asked me if I wanted my water cold, warm, or hot. Yes, boiling water is apparantly a common beverage choice. Go figure.

So far I am not a huge fan of this city--too hot and humid, I ruined my favorite shoes in the rain, and common menu items include "cheese pig knuckles" and "cottlefish balls." I had McDonalds today for the first time since Happy Meals came with Hot Wheels. I think we will do some sightseeing and hiking this weekend though, and hopefully the island and its people will begin to grow on me!