Many cultures, many experiences

We had an interesting week. I went to hear a speaker at Poly U. with a dinner afterward. Life definitely starts later and ends later in the day. The dinner began around 8:30 p.m. Interestingly enough, it was western rather than Chinese--perhaps because the speaker was American?

I had an orientation at the American consulate this week where they told us not to speak for the American government... I discovered yet another part of the city called the midlevels. This is a beautiful area up the side of the mountains or hills from the main part of the city on Hong Kong island.

On Friday evening we had all the Fulbright people over for a potluck dinner, each housed at a different university. We are probably the most centrally located. The Freake family took over the kitchen and made Chinese dumplings and in general it was quite a feast. And Karis and Jacob Freake made an English lemon tart. Has anybody ever heard of pie weights? I went to the store and bought two types of fruit that I could not identify to add to the dinner. We didn't get to bed until 1 in the a.m. Several people brought us decorations for Chinese New Year which is coming. You can feel the anticipation in the air!

On Saturday we had yet a totally different cross-cultural experience. A Scottish staff member I had met invited to the Highlander's club for the traditional celebration of the birthday of Robert Burns. This was an incredibly upscale event and included the traditional bringing of the haggis with the bagpipes and speeches degrading the English and all others except Scots. We've included videos of the event including pictures of haggis and Karis tasting Scottish whiskey with a fork. Enjoy! Karis was in her element! The piper was Chinese... We again didn't get home until 1 a.m. I was pleased that I am starting to recognize places and figure out where I am in the city. And for the record--I tried the haggis. If I can eat goose intestines I can at least try haggis.

Sunday a.m. we got up and went to the early service at the Island Evangelical Community Church. We enjoyed it and may end up going there--a Calvin alum met us and we also saw several of Karis's teachers. It is in a high rise building where the main church meets in a first floor room but we went to the second floor room where you can have coffee, sit, had live music but then the sermon was streamed in. We heard more American voices that we have heard since we've arrived.