Home? Perhaps

Classes abruptly started again on Monday and with no real enthusiasm either (I mean, just because economics is taught in an interesting country doesn't make it an interesting subject).

Tuesday I had a meeting with my corridor learning community called "iVillage". It is basically a community themed around the understanding of different cultures. There are more exchange students in it (obviously) than any other community in my dorm. I met quite a few new people from my dorm and learned a lot about the dorm activities sponsored by iVillage.

Ice rink in a mall that was attached to the subway. Talk about efficient.

Daniel and I ventured out Wednesday to attempt to run some errands. Although he was productive in obtaining some warmer wear, I hit a few bumps when I could not withdraw cash from an ATM (because I used my phone pin instead of an ATM pin, not knowing they were separate numbers) and failed to return a faulty Starbucks mug (with a receipt!) because it wasn't from the store that I originally purchased. I was however successful in getting a few dorm necessities at Ikea. The way home was a bit challenging. Neither Daniel or I realized that where a bus drops you off is not necessarily where it picks you up. Thus we ventured around many bus "pick-ups" and "drop-offs" to finally find the one that took us back to UST. Such a tiring night!

This weekend, Daniel traveled to Shenzhen China (about an 2 hour ride away) with some friends for market shopping, spa massages and Johnnie Walkers (sounds like a "girls trip", right?!). I stayed on campus and ventured into the city with a girlfriend I met here, Ali. We began our day by searching for a dry cleaners that was hidden inside a grocery mart. We then made our way to Mong Kok for some shopping and eventually Kowloon Tong to finally return my mug.

Ali and a street vendor modeling sunglasses

That night we had dinner with Ali's exchange buddy, Lily who enlightened us on many cultural differences between here and the states. We talked about relationships (how the average college relationship lasts 1 semester), family (how children here are expected to house their parents in old age), and the changing role of women in Hong Kong (most are much more financially stable than some men, and more are attending college). She complemented me on my chopstick skills and promised to take us out to a local place next time.

Sunday morning, I researched Catholic churches in Hong Kong and found out there are only 2 in the entire region. And of those 2, only one offered and English mass (thankfully, it was the one closest to me). I left at 12:00pm (perfect for sleeping in a little bit) and took the bus to the last stop in the line. I wandered around trying to find the right exit but once I did it was only a 10 minute walk to St. Bonaventure Church. It was attended by a large Filipino community and the service was held in the basement of the main facility. Plastic chairs served as pews, with portraits of Jesus on the walls and altar. A large, ornate cross stood behind the pulpit and there was s small gathering around a microphone where the choir sang. The room was small yet so decorated and peaceful, even with all of the people. It was a great chance to refocus my mind and I got a great feeling, almost overwhelming feeling of familiarity and comfort to be so far away from home but at the same time, right at home with everything I had been taught my entire life. The service was virtually the same and I felt like an instant member, having something in common, a link, with all of these people I had just encountered. I think I was a good 4-5 inches taller than everyone (90% of them women) so now I can be sure to sit in the back and still see.

As I become more comfortable navigating my way around Hong Kong, I find myself wanting to go further each time. Though not always alone, traveling by yourself comes with a great sense of freedom and independence. Even when I think I have everything mapped out, every street and station, there is that chance that I might still get lost. But the thing is, I'm never really lost considering I probably never truly knew where I was to begin with.

Mom, stop cringing. I'm not always alone!