And so I find myself entering a long, hot Hong Kong summer, and contemplation sure to follow. Nonetheless, the choice has been made. Starting in early September I will be relocating to Beijing, China where I will commence full-time Mandarin studies at Tsinghua University. The choice has not been easy, but good ones never are. And as I like to say, there is no such thing as a bad decision. AND, it works out well for all of you that have failed to make the journey west to the far east to visit. Your procrastination has been awarded with one further year of opportunity!
In between all of these decisions I have been bombarded with visitors to Hong Kong, and have also taken a few trips of my own. I have updated my picture page with shots from Sichuan (Szechuan), China... that infamous home of VERY spicy food. First I spent a weekend in the capital, Chengdu, where I ate, drank, ate, visited teahouses, ate, saw a big buddha, ate, drank and sang karaoke (if you want to call it singing). Afterward, my friend Emily and I cruised to Western Sichuan, not far from the border of Tibet. In fact, we were in the area of old Tibet (pre-China claims) referred to as Kham. What a trip! CLICK HERE to get a better description of the area. There were cowboys! For real :-) If you wan to jump straight to the PICTURES of SICHUAN, CLICK HERE.
After a bout of China stomach bug, and a strong course of antibiotics, I was out and about showing my uncle Pete, and later my aunt Kris around Hong Kong. I have just returned from a romantic getaway to Kyoto with my man Craig. CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS.
Up and coming, a visit from miss Margeaux Berroth (the little sis) and my mom! More stories are sure to come.
It has been quite a wild ride here in Hong Kong. I have made some of the best friends of my life, met a fabulous man, and visited parts of the world I had never even imagined seeing. I am sure it is not all Hong Kong, but I am not sure things would have been the same anywhere else. Hong Kong is a perpetual place of transitions--people coming and going, traveling and working, playing and staying... but they are always on the move. It is sad to always continue making new friends, always seeing others off. But positive too, as it forces you to constantly look for the next step. Hong Kong is about transitions, but it is also about embracing the moment. I wouldn�t take back my time here for a second, and am truthfully very sad to leave. But, I am SURE I will be back.
In the meantime, I am here through mid-July and then traveling a bit (probably returning home for a visit from August 12ish to the end of the month). If you want to see what this place is all about, and have a genuine �local� tour guide, come visit soon! Otherwise, let�s try to catch up in the states in August.
Take care!!!
Happy Summer!
Katie
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PHOTO GALLERY AND SEE A LIST OF ALBUMS.