That'll Be $140 Dollars Plus Your Sanity Please

June 5^th 2009

With the university unable to give me a visa I had no choice but to leave China. There is nothing worse than facing such an ultimo except maybe knowing I was leaving behind Wei and the comfort of familiarity. Not only was I about to leave my home, my partner, but the place I was heading to is considered expensive, huge ad of course where they speak Cantonese. Yes, some speak English, many probably do but my trip here has proven any don’t speak English as well. After taking a flight to Shenzhen Airport crossed the boarder to Hong Kong via the bus. I’ve learned to put aside my pride and ask when in doubt. This frustrates some Chinese but some are willing to go the extra step. Like my new found friend Cheney. He and I were the only ones headed to Wan Chai Hong Kong. He led me t the immigrations Tower, waited for me in the bank as I exchanged money and gave me his phone number just in case I needed help. I ended up in the wrong place but after some asking and much walking around I did find the place for me to apply for a tourist visa. I arrived there at 1pm and waited till they opened at 2pm. It never occurred to me that maybe I would be denied the visa and I pray to God I am not! Then came my first horrific taxi ride (which I did not buckle up for and later found out I could be fined heavily for not doing so!). I thought I would be sick after I discovered the bill! Apparently my hotel was across the river and he took the most expensive bridge so I had to pay 55HK dollars alone just to cross the bridge. 140HKD later and I was wandering around to find the place I ought to be at. I stopped in at another hotel where they gave me a map, circled some stuff which later left me standing at the gate of where I would call the next four days home. The room is impossibly small but that’s okay because it doesn’t need to be big, doesn’t need to be fancy; it just has to be functional for now.

Red Cat Firsts:
~ Taxi ride in Hong Kong

~ Most expensive taxi ride (paid over $100!)

~ Going to Hong Kong alone