Just back from three weeks in Hong Kong!

[Phacade]

Well I just got back a few weeks ago from a great trip to Hong Kong and Southern China. Wow! Its been far too long! I grew up over there when I was a kid, and moved back to the States when I was 20. Great times. In any case I had the opportunity and went over there and visited friends and family (my parents and sisters live over there). Too much fun. Hong Kong has really not changed much since I was a local. Sure the money has changed a bit and the flag is different now that China is in charge, but other than that, everything is pretty much as it was. This SARS thing is definatly getting alot more exposure (pardon the pun) than it needs. Hey, I am fine. I took about 400 photos and may post a few up here in the next little bit.

For those that are inclined, we are praying about moving back ourselves; so if you would like something to pray about. Dad is ministering there and can definatly use the help and I can definatly use the experience. Plus there is just no substitute for living in Hong Kong and in Southern China. It totally rocks. Yeah, its not America, but most everything you could want is already there.

Except Dr Pepper.

Savages.

They have this stored value card over there called the Octopus card. Basically it is like a magnetic key card that holds a set value in Hong Kong Dollars on it. When you go to get on the subway (called the MTR - Mass Transit Railway), it automatically deducts the fare. These cards work on all the trains in Hong Kong. Also in all the buses. Also in all the local 7-Elevens. Circle-K's. Most soda/pop machines! When the value on the card is getting low, you can put more HKD on it and use it again. Isn't that cool? The readers are all at hip level. Where else in the world but Hong Kong can you rub your butt against a pop machine and get a pop to come out?

And of course they drive on the left hand side there. Takes a little getting use to. Hardest part is when you step off a curb, remember to look right not left. Of course in Hong Kong, you might want to look both directions. :stupid:

[tanny]

Yes, for some reason(sensational copy) the press loves to overstate these things, and they especially like flus from Hong Kong and China. I've heard talk of the cash card being the way we will do business in the future for at least thirty years now. Like the metric system, it will be tough to change. Personally I think it's a great idea, but the big brother paranoids will worry about the boogey man knowing too much(increased accessibility to our financial info). Good luck.

[MDyer]

At least in the Far East.

I work for a Japanese company, and travel to Japan semi-frequently. It's amazing how the Far East embraces electronic technology.

[Phacade]

Alot more than we do actually. If DVD had not made such a push in the last few years, we would be on VHS for another 10 years.