Dodgers Down Under

 

                          

Over and over and, well, over,  I am amazed at the opportunities I have.  This last one brought some Americana our way…via Australia.

I miss sports.  I miss sports A LOT! I got in the habit of watching ESPN and Sports Center because there doesn’t tend to be much  BAD news there (except if your team is having a season like the Steelers had this past year).  I’ve never really gotten used to watching College football on Sunday, Pro Football on Monday AND drinking coffee during those games ! 

Low and behold, the Dodgers announce they will be “opening” their season against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney!  I mentioned to Corey that we should think about going…after all…Sydney is a mere 9 hours away!  A hop for us compared to those coming from the US for the game…well, mentioned probably is the wrong word…let’s just say I brought it up …repeatedly…you know, JUST in case he happened to have a trip into Australia that … week. 

My mentions (wishing, urging) stuck in Corey’s head…and yes, the trip was a few days before the games were to be played.  He moved heaven and earth to have me go with him from Tuesday – Sunday, but tight flights and my schedule had me going into Sydney on Thursday night.  Corey secured the tickets …airline and game…we were set.  (What a guy!)

Major League Baseball claims they wanted to help expand baseball in Australia.  It had been 100 years since Professional American Baseball had been played there. Others have theories of MLB going to Australia to expand a fan base, a fan base that would buy merchandise (oh boy…was that part right!).

The games were to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It is a BEAUTIFUL cricket ground with history and holds upwards of 70,000 people.  Some of it reminded me of the Ironwork around The Ballpark at Arlington (my favorite park)

A cricket field is a pitch. A Cricket Pitch is HUGE!  WAY bigger than a baseball field, so getting this particular field ready was a Herculean effort.  50,000 TONS of sand was brought in from San Diego to make the infield and fill Center Field.  Fences were erected, measurements to somewhat equal a big league ballpark.  Tarps were dropped over seats in “center field” so the batters would not be distracted.  It took 16 days to pull this off!  LORD only knows the money!  Four games were scheduled…two against Team Australia and then the Major League Openers.

Herculean efforts brought Herculean ticket prices:

The tickets were very dear!  There is very little need for a currency converter here…the AUD is just about even with the USD. So, yep…you wanna SEE baseball?  You’re gonna PAY to see baseball.

Traffic was a nightmare…is that the way everywhere?

We ended up walking in.  It was a good night for it!

Corey was met right away with a few Dodger friends.  WHAT a picture opportunity!

They were so nice to stand by while he posed.

I loved that the ushers and attendants did not keep fans away from the field (pitch) during batting practice.  There was no pretense of “these are not your seats”.  There were tons of us down at the rail (or as close as we could get) snapping pictures, hoping for an autograph.

MY best spot of the night was this one:

a small glimpse of Vin Scully in the broadcast booth!

Some fans got souvenirs.  Most of us settled for being close to the field and grabbing some decent pictures.

It was a perfect night. 

All too soon it was time to head to our seats, hear the anthems and Play Ball!

The Dodgers were playing the Diamondbacks.  So we got to see Kirk Gibson (who was the inspiration for our Kirks naming)

                               

Corey and I had a great time…the Dodgers won! 

AND…nice people took our pictures! 

You know how your mom ALWAYS told you NOT to talk to strangers…

(this could also be called “Almost Shanghaied in Shanghai!

Most of what I have written is about my travels…and most of my travels have been in China.

As a blonde (cough cough) traveller in Asia…I experience what to the Westerners seems odd…but once you consider whence it comes…you learn to accept it.  Now, my brunette and red-headed friends have also been approached…but blondes…well “us” blondes seem to get the most attention.

People want to take their pictures with us.  A LOT.  This tends to happen most in more remote areas of Asia…and when I say Asia…I really mean China.

The Chinese have really just started to travel in the last few years…so coming from remote areas to the “big city” affords them to see things they just don’t normally see…and when I say “things they don’t normally see” I mean fair people…and by fair people I really mean blondes. 

What I know about the gene pool can fill a thimble…but I do know that Asian genes are dominate…and with 1.3 billion dominate people…blonde just is NOT going to sprout….ever.

SO…now they are traveling,..and blonde haired people just stop them in their tracks. 

The first time I really was aware of this was Chengdu.  The ladies I traveled with were inside shopping…the sales clerk had irked me so I left.  I was standing on the sidewalk waiting when a little girl came around the corner slightly ahead of her grandfather.  She saw me and she stopped in her tracks.  STOPPED DEAD.  She turned back to Grandpa…and thankfully, for my self esteem at least, she did not burst into tears. He bent down to her…whispered in her ear…and THEN she turned to me and gave me the slightest wave.

I really think I was the first fair-haired person she had ever seen.

Friends have told me about being stopped for pictures.  It happened to me in Beijing and Harbin…in Harbin I could have charged!  I literally had to step away or risk losing the tour group.

The other crazy time I’ve ever seen with Chinese Nationals being enthralled by blondes was in Jiuzhaigou and Chengdu (the second time).  Most of our group was blonde:

This is literally my favorite pic of the trip!

…but Becky Wong was approached relentlessly.  She was a good egg and took many pics…smiled her beautiful smile, and took it all in stride.

SO…what’s this all got to do with our title?

Fast forward to Shanghai.  Now…this city gets LOTS of tourists…cruise ships…so tons of westerners and tourists from inside the country.

I like to travel with Corey.  I like to travel with Corey which means I get to tour alone most of the time.  I can do whatever I want…go when I want…come back when I want…selfish maybe…but it just works!

Today I decided to take a walk on the Bund (I will write about this another time) and take a river cruise. 

There were 15 of us on a boat that held 100’s.  I was the only blonde…hell, I was the only westerner. 

It was windy and cold (not Harbin cold…but the wind chill was impressive).  I stayed outside the entire time…hoping to capture “that” shot of Shanghai

 

Yea…that didn’t happen…sigh

So we cruised for 50 min…and at the very end I was approached by a young couple who wanted to take a pic with me.  I obliged.  Two snaps…off I went…they took TONS of other pics…I didn’t think anything of it.

My other goal today was to walk the Bund.  ALL OF IT.  Well, I thought it was longer than it was b/c my Active Link is being STUPID (it’s telling the truth)…and I only earned 3 activity points so far…

As I walked…I was approached by a young lady who wanted me to take a picture of her w/Mao.  “Make SURE you get the statue”  Ok…whatever…

(here he is)

After I took the picture…she starts to chat me up…Also not super new b/c students like to practice their English.  She goes on and on…and I chat back…I’m from HK…here for 5 days…nothing terrible.  She talks about how her friend has not time for her b/c she is working and she is from Harbin (I’ve been there!)…She asks what I am doing today (meeting my husband LIE).  She asks what I have planned (lunch with husband LIE) Then she tells me she has made a reservation for a tea ceremony and would I like to go? “Come with me”…and goes to take my arm. 

SEE ABOVE NOTE.  I like to be alone…and well, seriously…I’m going to follow a stranger in SHANGHAI (have you NEVER seen a Bonanza or Big Valley episode people…they barely got Nick back alive!)? I don’t’ think so.

I decline…move away…off I go.  About 30 minutes later (still walking stupid active link…) and I am approached again by another young couple.  Yes, I will take a picture with them.  He asks me where I am from…do I speak Cantonese (no…)and the girl goes…I kid you not…”What are you doing…we are going to a tea ceremony.  Come with us" 

HUH?  I’ve lived in HK 3 years and I’ve not been invited to tea EVER…let alone a tea ceremony in a new place…let alone twice in 30 minutes.  I decline and move on.

I finish the walk…start making my way back to my hotel.  I am stopped one last time by an older couple and yes…I will take a pic…he flashed the “peace” sign…and thank me and off they go.

SO…I walk along and walk some more… stop in to see if the tunnel from this side to the other is work 70 Mao's to use…I see a curious sign about not believing “tour guides” and the “coMsumption trap”…and my mind starts to work overtime.  What is WITH all of these invitations? 

I get back to our beautiful room with a view, download my pics (sigh again…just nothing great today)….Well…I DO like this one….

I couldn’t capture it …but all the flags…straight out, being whipped by the wind…on top of all of these old buildings…it just looked cool …

And I do a GOOGLE search.  Yes, you CAN do GOOGLE searches here…I’ve been able to find answers for things I want to know…but I’m not looking for anything too interesting…

I search  “Tea Ceremony + Scam + Shanghai”  (no quotes and YES KIRK I KNOW…I don’t need the “+” anymore).

In .26 seconds I get 1000’s of results.  Yep…my instincts held true…being a “glass half empty” person served me well…Mom’s training came in handy.

These overly friendly strangers are indeed scammers.  They take you over the river, through the neighborhoods to a tea place (the one girl called it a festival)…where you taste 3 cups of normal tea…then get the bill for 100’s of Yuan.  I guess the deal is the scammers and the tea place split what is paid b/c people are afraid to rock the boat in a foreign country…so they pay, escape, and kick themselves all the way back to their hotel. Some report paying upwards of 50-100 (or more) USD….for 3 cups of tea! 

There ARE reports of people getting the police and finding their way back (the police stand by…really don’t get involved)…but most of the stories just say “learn from me…learn from my lesson”

Here’s what I’ve learned:

***Your gut is good to follow.  If it feels wrong…it probably is. 

***Do an internet search for scams in the city you are visiting.  I have NEVER done this before…but I will from now on.

***When people want a picture with me…they just want a picture…not a conversation…those that want a conversation…want something else…

***Signs on the main tourist walkway that don’t’ seem to make sense….WILL make sense…you just need to mull it over

When what has always been there…Won’t Be

 

Today…was a rough day here in Hong Kong.  Nothing personally happened to me…but I received a bit of news that saddened me beyond belief.

It is no secret that 13 1/2 years ago…I walked into a Weight Watchers meeting in Lynnwood Washington.  I was greeted by Phil Cook, Jean Osborn, Marcia Montgomery … all of whom were supportive…and later became friends and colleagues.

From October of 2000 to August of 2001…I removed around 45 pounds…I traveled (twice to Italy, one time was a cruise – and yes I lost weight).  My father was diagnosed with cancer and died that year.  No, I did not eat my way through it.

In 2002, 2003 and 2004 I trained for and completed Sprint Triathlons (this from the girl whose athletic life peaked in the 1st grade after I won the potato sack race). 

In 2002 I became a staff member as a receptionist, and later, from the urging of Linda Guangorena and Caryn Shively, I became a leader.  I was well trained, molded, lost my fear of public speaking, and if I do say so myself, became pretty damn good at working a meeting. 

I watched, urged, and supported 100’s of people as they worked themselves into a healthier lifestyle.  I witnessed Marisa and her mom collectively lose over 200 lbs.  Virginia could not walk from bench 1 to bench 2 at Green lake…and 75 lbs. later…was walking the whole thing.  Marissa received her lifetime award THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!  Which SUCKED…b/c most people were too afraid to be there…so she celebrated with a smaller group than she deserved.  She is now a staff member and doing AWESOME!  A real role model. 

Our Saturday meeting walked/ran a 5k to help get people moving…we collected canned goods for “lose for Good”  I got to go into people’s work and watch them change and become healthier people and embrace activity as a lifestyle (Ms. Virginia…you rock) .  And even while some friends did not stay with WW…they continued their work to become healthy and fit (Rhonda is KILLING it)

I never left my work in a worse mood than when I entered.  How many of you can say that about your work?  Not very many I am betting.

I worked with the BEST group of people…all seriously and ridiculously fun, awesome and dedicated. Ms. Claire was especially dear to me…I think to all of us.  My 2nd day of training as a receptionist…I was pushed into the deep end of the pool…she stood next to me…but I was on my own.  I swam…I loved her. 

So…forward to January 2011.  I said goodbye to my friends, members and colleagues and moved to Hong Kong.  Day 2 I got my HKID (took a bus alone…but Corey met me)  Day 4 I went to CHAT (the AWA’s Come Have a Talk).  Day 7?  I was in a Weight Watchers meeting. 

When I found out we were moving…that’s what I looked up.  Where was my meeting?

I blogged about finding the meeting.  Again was met by great staff members…Thanks Tonda and Lisa .  I met two friends who immediately introduced themselves and took me under their wings and invited me to lunch.

Have you figured it out?  Weight Watchers has been a huge part of my life for all of these years.

And Monday I found out that Weight Watchers Hong Kong is closing.  Forever

Well…not just Hong Kong…China too…but I never went there…Hong Kong.  Closed . 

So…this girl (lady, old broad) has a hole in her week.  I have struggled with 8 lbs. for 4 years…I’ve always been at a “healthy” weight…just not the weight I want to be…and I’m not in the “shape” I want to be. I’ve been up…down…but always in the range.  My meetings kept things from getting out of hand…and reinforced the knowledge I had the tools to keep/take control of my world. 

I am not thinking that without a meeting I will regain all my weight.  I won’t let not having a meeting derail the efforts of all of these years.

HOWEVER…and it’s only been 2 days…I have a true sense of mourning and loss .  It will be fine.  I know my friends will be there for me in a more casual way. 

But please... don’t’ take for granted what’s “always been there”…b/c you just never know when what has “always been there” won’t be anymore…

By the way…if you want something to stick around …YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP.  Just sayin’

The Lion Dance Comes to K-11 Art Mall

 

Chinese New Year is a beautiful time.  There are decorations and flowers everywhere…

(these little “orange” trees are ever-present)

One very popular one are these wishing trees…branches with Lai-See packets hung from them.

During the weeks of Chinese New Year Lion Dances are EVERYWHERE!

At first glimpse…one might think they are watching a Dragon at work…but alas, no, these are Lions.  You will see them on corners, in parks, at malls.  Well…actually, you tend to HEAR them before you see them.

My first real encounter with Lion Dancing happened in January 2012.  Most Mondays a group of us would head down to Pacific Place to have salad at the Metropolitan Café.  We would eat, rehash our Weight Watchers meeting…and then sit and chat.  It was a weekly tradition and we had loads of fun sitting and catching up.  After 2 PM, the Café would empty out,and we would have the place pretty much to ourselves.

Then…the drums started from afar…and we didn’t think much of it.  Then the drums continued, and continued…and got closer, and closer, and then…the drums arrived.  We tried to wait out the drumming…but it went on and on.  FOR HOURS.  After an hour of TRYIING to keep conversation going…we left. (Note to self…NO MUSIC during dinner at any weddings I’m involved in planning!)

Fast forward to today.  I entered the K-11 Art Mall (I live above it)…and I heard the drums.  FLASHBACK…I wanted to flee. As I made my way upstairs…I noticed the “offerings” hanging above the doors OF EVERY RETAILER in the Mall!

See the “greens” hanging…every shop had one!  A quick search discovered the following:

“Chinese martial art schools or Chinese guild and associations will visit the houses and shops of the Chinese community to perform the traditional custom of "cai qing" (採青), literally means "plucking the greens", a quest by the 'lion' to pluck the auspicious green normally 'vegetables' like lettuce which in Chinese called 'cái'(菜)that sound like 'cái'(财)(fortune) and auspicious fruit like oranges tied to a "Red Envelope" containing money; either hang highly or just put on a table in front of the premises.”  --From Wikipedia 

The Lion grabs the greens

…then carefully cuts away the greens and  Lai-See (offering packet attached)…shakes it’s head…and TOSSES the greens back into the store!

(see above…going in for the kill…grabbing the packet)

 

Shaking his head (YES…I know it’s blurry)…getting ready…and

TOSSED … back into the store.

The aftermath…

This goes on from store to store to store!

SMILE Yogurt wasn’t quite ready…and had to hurry to get their offering up in time!

A new one for me…(well, it’s all new)…was one of the jewelry stores had MANY packets tacked to the walls…and the lion went from packet to packet and grabbed all of the offerings.  Entering the store:

  It looks a bit like the Lion is licking the wall…but EVERY packet must be collected!

The Lion travels with a big group!

And it must take hours to go from store to store to store…EVERY store participates b/c it is believed the greens and packets will bring good luck and fortune to the store!

Here is the Lion…in all it’s glory.  Shots were tough b/c of the crowds!

I’m in absorption mode…must take pics and admire all that is Hong Kong. 

Happy New Year!

 

We got back Dec 31 at 8 am …and did a darn good job staying awake…we unpacked, ran to our “crack” noodle shop for lunch…errands, dinner…and then BANG hit the wall at a whopping 8:30

What a set of party animals we are!

I am like a child when it comes to Hong Kong having a fireworks event.  I watch the barges get into place…I count them (sadly, CNY barges have decreased from four to three….I’m thinking budget cuts).  This year there were two barges BUT…there were lots of tiny boats all around promising a different show!

I set the alarm on my phone because, well, let me admit it…LAST year…well, we slept through ALL the festivities outside…I woke up at 12:15…crowds gone…all quite on the Waterfront.

I was NOT going to miss anything this year.  There were promises of light shows at 11:15/11:30/11:45…and fireworks off of buildings at the same time. 

I will say the “light show” and building fireworks were just ok…(though the building fireworks DID look like shooting stars)

Then, finally, the crowds outside starting getting restless so I grabbed my camera.  The Hong Kong Convention Center started their countdown!

The show then began.  The problem with having a camera is that you forget to SEE!  You don’t take in the whole picture because you are so focused on what is in the view finder! This time I really worked to not only grab some pictures but look at what was happening.

I also have to remember to take pictures EARLY in the show b/c the smoke from the previous bursts just gets in the way!

The New Years show is the shortest…but I really loved it.  Chinese New Year folks need to take note!!

Awake until 1 am and then CRASH…until 6:30…a good night for me!

Happy New Year to you all.

This is completely stolen from FB…but you now have a book with 365 blank pages…write a good one !

I’ve lost that Blogging feeling

 

How long does it take for the “new” to become the “not so new”?

When I came to Asia I committed to writing about my experiences.  I knew I was being handed the opportunity of a lifetime, and I wanted to make sure I not only took full advantage of that opportunity…but it was also important to me to actually remember all that I saw, smelled, tasted.

My dad used to keep diaries.  He had years of them…and I always loved reading them…the day in, day out, normalness of his life…of my mom’s life…of our lives.  It’s really our only record of our family.

We have a small family.  Not many cousins, and sadly, I don’t know a lot about our ancestors or history.

I wanted to leave a little something behind that told the story of the years I had here. My goal was to write about all of it…right as it happened, when my ever failing memory was fresh…the places, the names, the impressions.

Year 1 was EASY! EVERYTHING was so new…I literally would run back to write about my day, my travels. (Jan 2011 to Dec 2011)

Year 2….well, the wheels started coming off the cart…slowly off the cart…but…sure enough, things started to slow down…even though my traveling was accelerating! (Jan 2012 to Dec 2012)

Corey would say “you are losing your audience”…he may have meant readers…I now know it means …me

Year 3…well, the cart was now sitting by the side of the road…I was still an avid picture taker…and I thought that having the pics would help me reconstruct. It will be invaluable.  Corey always wanted me to change how my pictures are stored on the computer (why no names?? ).  I held on to date and picture order for one reason…continuity, consistency…Thank heaven!   

Year 4 - It’s time to catch up. It’s time to keep up. That is going to be my charge … I’m not under the impression that my kids want to read this now…but maybe, one day, they, or their kids…will want to know…or maybe, just maybe…when someone does a search on line…they will see MY experiences (I will be page 9,000 on Google…but I might be found)…and read my words, and know just a little, about my/about our lives.

In an effort NOT to set myself up for failure…I will not make promises in writing, no “resolutions”.  However, I will, this year, search for, set time for, prioritize…getting that feeling back…the feeling of newness…wonder…awe.