See the World

Last week was Korean Thanksgiving, so I took the opportunity of a 5 day weekend to go to Hong Kong, and have a look around. Having been to Hong Kong before, I also decided I would cross the border into neighbouring Shenzhen and see some of the world. I didn't know just how much of the world I could see . . .

Shenzhen is a big tourist draw for people from both the rest of mainland China and Hong Kong, and consequently there are a few attractions there. One of them is called 'The Window of the World.' Its a sort of model village, but of the whole world. Every major building or tourist attraction in the world is replicated, and while some are quite small, some are pretty big. The Eiffel Tower is 2/3 the size of the original in Paris. So having seen the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, the Great Pyramids, Sydney Opera House, Mount Rushmore, and much more, I now feel I can put my passport away. I've seen the world. (I didn't feed the world, it wasn't Christmas). I particularly like this photo, as you can see not just the Statue of Liberty, but also the ancient Nazca lines of Peru (to the right), Easter Island (background), and Christ the Redeemer (top left). 

I also got to visit some ancient Chinese sites, where I learned that while Chinese people put great store in tradition, they also really really like the internet, and their modems.

Give your modem a hug

While I was in Hong Kong, there was a news report about a Super Typhoon! Named Usagi, this storm was potentially the most powerful storm to hit the planet in nearly 30 years! With winds of 180 mph it was sweeping past Taiwan and headed straight for Hong Kong! I therefore decided to go to a theme park. Ocean Park is excellent, and was a lot of fun, and thankfully, I left before Super Typhoon Usagi could do some damage

Back at school, there have been a few changes to the schedule just for this week, meaning I've been teaching a class of teeny tiny toddlers. They are 3 years old, and can't speak much Korean, let alone much English. Obviously I am a giant to them, so I've been singing 'Old McDonald' to them while they sit, necks craned back to look up at the giant man, and drool. At the end of the week, some of them would hug my leg and say; 

"I love you Miss Victoria." Thats their regular teacher. Its been fun! But I'm looking forward to getting back to my older kids who can actually communicate next week!

No sporting action this weekend, though I am hopefully going to go to the Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix next weekend, and then its almost countdown to our next Open Class at school, and after that . . . . Christmas!



Finally, the Adventures of Tyrion the Turtle

This week, Tyrion learnt about the forthcoming release of a new, live action, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, scheduled for release next year! He was however, bemused by the storyline that the turtles are now aliens for some reason. He has also started learning kung fu, in the hopes of gaining a part in the new movie. Good luck, and god speed . . . .