Blogging
From Abroad

Arriving in the Hong Kong airport after my 16 hour flight from the U.S, I was greeted with the closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics.

Everyone in the airport was watching the ceremony on a huge T.V. in the middle of the airport. It was an exciting feeling to be watching the Olympics in the correct time zone and to be that much closer to where it actually takes place. Unfortunately, I have only been able to see the what was left of the excitement that swarmed in Hong Kong because of the equestrian events for the Olympics. There are signs everywhere that express Hong Kong’s pride that an event was held there. Every local I have talked to has also mentioned how happy they were that something like this took place in Hong Kong and would ask if I got the chance to watch it. I would have to say that even being here for the aftermath of the 2008 Olympics has just been an amazing experience.
Besides being greeted by the closing ceremony, I was also welcomed by several local students from Lingnan University. One student greeted me and some other exchange students with rice ball cakes and lemon tea. I would have to say that the rice cake was quite an experience. It is this VERY gummy ball and inside there is a red bean filling. It was my first interesting taste of Hong Kong’s many different foods.
It was also the first of my many encounters with extremely friendly locals of Hong Kong. The friendliness of the students at Lingnan is incredible. They are willing to do anything for you and are so welcoming. The students are always saying hi to you and they want to know so much about the U.S. It is a great feeling to know that I am representing my country, and that I can teach the students of Hong Kong a little something about America.