Monday, February 27, 2012

Hobbies.

I've had some free time...
Ryan asked me to do something for an art show fundraiser he's putting together for his non-profit.

I thought a cyptid ink series would be fun.
What's a cryptid? Wikipedia says "a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely.[1] Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland."

Jackalope.

Okapi.

Phoenix.

Well, that was fun.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Long Distance Lovin'

 I am always thinking about my friends (who am I kidding? they are more like family) who are back in the States. I am so lucky to have a great group to call my own! I'm especially lucky that they all have IPhones... I've been able to FaceTime and message them daily. I miss them a lot, but they are never truly absent.
View from my bed. The typical spot where I message from my IPad.

Thoughtful care package from DC! Brightened up my day :)

Good evening, Good morning. 

I get a kick out of putting together cute letters for the sister. 

IPhone buddies- follow me on Instagram: raqalot
I post tons of pics. The other day I spotted dried lizards and starfish for sale in a food market... check it out!


Small World. Snapshots, Part III.

I've been in Hong Kong for over 5 weeks now- which means I'm 1/3 through my project. I can't believe how fast time is flying by.

Last week, I moved to another part of HK known as the Western District. My neighborhood is called Sai Ying Pun. Ever since changing apartments, I have felt much more optimistic and excited about living in this city. My apartment is swankier and more spacious, I have a view of the sky, and the neighborhood is more affordable, less crowded, and within walking distance of the busier districts.

My boyfriend was able to connect me with one of his friends from North Carolina. Her company has been priceless! It's great to have a girl friend in this new city and access to meeting more people my age. The other night, I met a guy from GWU that graduated in my year! It's incredible that I lived within 3 blocks of him for 4 years in DC and never met him once- but here I was, sitting in a living room on the other side of the world, in a city with 6 million more people than DC, and I was chatting away with a fellow Foggy Bottom-er. 

What a small world.

View from 46 floors.

Love the bamboo scaffolding. Something beautiful about using bamboo in an industrialized city.

My apartment building. We were the first people to move in. I have the whole floor to myself!

All the HK cabs are red Toyotas.

Foggy Hong Kong. We took the Star Ferry from Kowloon to HK Island. Meet Casey from NC.

Market in Central district of HK.

Fish- casually drying out on city property.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Snapshots of Hong Kong. Part II.

Small street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Mostly noodle restaurants and home repair shops.
Note:grungy buildings alongside high-end high rises.

Bamboo scaffolding. Bamboo is the primary material for construction sites.

Bamboo in preparation for scaffolding.

Street food.

Government housing in Kowloon... Rows and rows of ominous looking apartments.

There is a Chinese herbal medicine shop on every block. This is a typical selection of what they sell. I see dried shrimp, dried oysters, but who knows what else.

Small alley filled with market vendors in Causeway Bay. Bought a cute little carpet purse for $45 HKD ( $5 US dollars). This is also where I picked up some women's tights- Chinese women LOVE their tights and leggings.

Glimpse of Hong Kong's public transportation: double decker buses, trolleys, and driving on the other side of the road.

The best subway system I've ever seen- Hong Kong MTR is clean, well-lit, and has glass walls separating people waiting for the train from the tracks. This shot doesn't show how busy and tight-packed the subway usually is.

The Olympic stairs half a block from my apartment. 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Snapshots of Hong Kong. Part 1.

I have been in Hong Kong for almost 1 month now. These past 4 weeks have gone by very quickly as I've become acquainted with the cultural differences, new neighborhood, and the demands of my job. There is so much to see and so many things that stand out radically for someone that has never been to Asia before. Observe....
Chinese New Year!
Mini-orange trees were everywhere for the Chinese New Year. Often, they were decorated with red ribbons and small red envelopes. These trees bring good luck and the envelopes hold treats :)

Dragon and lion dances.

Bright night lights of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is an island, and therefore, shipping is a huge industry for this economy. You can see giant shipping vessels in the water all around the island. It's an extremely developed and industrialized country and green space within the city is hard to find. But there are huge National parks outside that offer beautiful views and trails.

No one told me Hong Kong is a foggy city. I'd like to think it's the moistness in the air... but I've also been told it's the pollution. Since I've been here, I've only seen the sun maybe 4 times (yes, once a week). 

Because the city can count on the fog to roll in when the night cools, there is a light show on the bay. The buildings were decorated for Chinese New Year which made the show even more festive. There's music playing over loudspeakers and green lasers pointed to the sky every night.

One of the quirkiest cultural differences I've seen in the city are the customs of the Indonesian immigrants. THOUSANDS of lady domestic workers congregate for picnics on the sidewalk every Sunday in my neighborhood. There is a phenomenon that many young female Indonesians are lesbians either because there is a lack of males in the Indonesian Hong Kong population and so they take on a male role or because homosexuals migrate to Hong Kong to be able to freely express their sexuality. Thousands of Indonesians sitting on the sidewalk dressed as boys is definitely an interesting sight.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love and Travel

My Valentine's Day has lasted for almost two days.. 37 hours, to be exact. Ryan and I are 13 hours apart, so everyday lasts a little longer when we share day over FaceTime.

I came across these two beautiful videos that combine the love of travel and a significant other.

Traveling TOWARDS each other:

Traveling WITH each other:

One day I'm going to make it to South America for some adventurous exploring in the wilderness. Check out all those beautiful shots of the big, open skies.

When I was younger, I had a reoccurring dream of jumping off balconies, trees, and buildings to fly the thermal currents. One of the necessities I'll prioritize when I settle down will be a big sky... I swear, I must have been a bird in a past life. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Traveling Tips from My Friends

For the times I'm feeling a little homesick, it's really nice to read through the hand-written notes of my friends. During my last night in DC, I had my buddies write down their addresses and a traveling tip on a small card. Now I have a nice little stack I can bring around with me.

HYDRATE

DEHYDRATE

Take more pictures than you think you want! CAN'T have too many!

Use a carry-on as much as possible! Those f*ckers will lose your luggage!

Be a tourist! Enjoy every city you explore. Don't forget us little people.

Don't put your thumb in your fist.

Do something that scares you! But don't get hurt!

Learn as much about everything possible. Smile everywhere you go :)

Wear a watch, BREATH DEEP, and HAVE FUN!

Keep socks in your airplane bag. Learn to use a calling card. Don't change.

RyanAir has ridiculously cheap tickets in Europe.

Trust your instincts. Stay optimistic. Follow your dreams.

Take all the underwear you hate and throw them away as you go so that you can lighten your pack and avoid laundry at the same time!

If you ever me, I'll come blastin'.

When traveling by broomstick, be sure to avoid dementors.

You're an awesome explorer. So venture out and discover!

Some of my buddies.