hong kong

The kids loved riding this escalator. It was never-ending.

I think Jesse is worried about me breaking the camera in some way because he seems to always carry it. I am known to be a bit clutzy at times. He has taken some great pictures. These are huge incense coils that hang above your head in the temples. Whew! Strong stuff.

Added note: Our friend Clinton has a girlfriend from Hong Kong named Roni. She told us that the you can make wishes for your family using these coils. You write your family’s name and a message on red paper that hangs down from the middle of the coil. The incense burns and brings good luck/good life to the family. A lot of people do this for their families, but you can make a wish for anything!

At this temple, people would line up to bang the drum and bell three times each. Everyone just files in through the course of their day to worship Buddha, light some incense, bang some gongs – it is pretty cool. The people here are incredibly friendly and helpful. Most speak English which makes getting around incredibly easy.

Maddux and I lit some incense in honor of Buddha. This place was packed and incense was everywhere.

There are markets everywhere you turn here in Hong Kong. Maddux picked up a US quarter that someone was trying to sell. He brought it over to show me and the lady yelled at him “put that back!” He looked at me like, what the heck?!

Emerson misses your food already! (Emerson probably ate at the Itzcovitch’s house for dinner more than she ate at ours. She said Louise’s food was SO yummy. Louise is Britt’s mom and Erin and Brandon, too. Emerson’s best buddies in Montreal are Brit and Erin. Maddux’s good friend is their brother, Brandon. Louise is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. If I was to ever get in a fist fight with anyone, I would want her to have my back. That woman can kick some major butt!!!!) When we return, we’ll have to get together to do some more puzzles together while Jesse and Mitch drink beer. Good times!

Added info on the food: there are tanks and tanks of fish and other seafood. There are people standing behind the tanks in huge plastic/rubber aprons. They grab a fish and start cutting it apart so quickly. It’s pretty crazy to watch. They sell all parts of the fish. They also sell birds cooked right with their heads on and you can buy bags of chicken feet if that tickles your fancy. Hmmmm… haven’t tried those yet and don’t think I will.

As soon as Maddux and Lennon saw the double-decker buses and trams, they were hooked. I would say Maddux asked when we could ride on one every other minute. Look how happy he is here. This is our buddy, Clinton. He is such a good friend. We would always have a blast when he’d visit us in California. He has graciously given us his apartment for our stay in HK. We get to spend time with his dogs Augustus and Ripley, too. They love to snuggle and snore.

While we were playing at the park, we saw young and old people stretching, doing tai chi and yoga. One woman who was maybe in her 70’s walked up the the jungle gym and effortlessly put her leg up on the highest bar so she was doing a vertical split. Jesse couldn’t get the camera out in time. Bummer. She was wearing bright red pants and had on a pink shirt. She reminded me of my Gramma Ramona. She was awesome!