We have arrived in Hong Kong. It is beautiful with green mountains, extensive bridges, and towering sky scrapers. Today was our China debrief and tomorrow is the race. We found out a little bit about our time in China and what we will be doing there. I am so excited about our plans. I love learning about culture and hanging out with students and we will be doing a bit of both. We should also see some pretty cool sites and ride an overnight sleeper train. Unfortunately we will not be able to blog or e-mail or talk to people back home at all for security sake. I was sad to hear this and then crushed when Emilie reminded me that both of our birthdays will happen when we are in China. So, I will not get to talk to family and friends, or read e-mails that day. But, I am relieved to know that Internet is one area that we don’t have to worry about compromising the long term staff and Christians working in China. November 10th we will leave China and come back into Hong Kong, so I will be able to check my e-mail and hopefully post a blog. Keep those e-mails and facebook comments coming.
Here are some random things we learned about China today. There are 1.3 billion people in the country, so personal space practically does not exist. Standing in line does not happen. Everyone just kind of crowds around; it’s survival of the fittest. The ground is considered very dirty. It is not okay to touch the ground, sit on it, or eat food off of the ground. Not eating food off of the ground is something that World Racers will have to work hard to remember. One reason why the ground is considered so dirty is that spitting is perfectly okay and it happens quite often. Chopsticks are the utensils of choice; we just need to remember not to put them sticking up in the air out of rice or food. This symbolizes death.
I don’t know if you can tell, but I am super excited about the month ahead of us. But, I am really going to miss putting my thoughts into my computer. Writing is such a good outlet for me to report what I see and feel. My laptop will be staying in Hong Kong. If I wanted to take it into the country I would need to strip it of any Christian, AIM, or World Race info and pictures. It is possible that my computer would be confiscated, so it’s just not worth the risk for me. Please continue to keep China, Team Salt, and me in your prayers.
Emilie in the, Bangkok Airport, trying to make some cash:
Olympic Excitement:
