Thursday, March 08, 2007

Stanley

Today started out leisurely, as my first presentation did not begin until 10:40. However, about 5 minutes before it was time for me to head out to school, I had a panic attack that I had lost my passport. Last night's late return had made me careless and I couldn't remember which "safe" place I had put it. I unsuccessfully searched my hotel room in the time I had left and had to leave in a state of anxiety. I ended up being late for my presentation as well (my taxi driver brought me to the wrong place), so any calm my morning relaxation should have brought was quickly lost.

However, I slowly began to regain it as we visited the Stanley area after school. Stanley is the coastal area, a one-time fishing village. In the mist, one can still see solitary sampans gliding across the waters.



It is also home to the Tin Hau Temple, a temple appropriately dedicated to the goddess of the sea.



Even though I would've like to look at more of the temple in detail, I always feel awkward examining a place where people worship. It seems rather rude to gawk at it like the tourist I am. So we only glanced around briefly.




But, to be honest, the biggest attraction in Stanley is the SHOPPING! There are hundreds of stalls selling everything and anything. I could look around for hours and spend every red cent I've made coming here on the available goods.



And I just might do that. Already, I've bought this cute tiger backpack and this painting; and I want to go back for more. Hmm, I might need to buy another bag just to pack all my stuff in for when I go back. If I CAN get back that is. Still have to find that passport.

2 comments:

Elaine Magliaro said...

Grace,

I love the painting! I had to buy another suitcase when I was in China. I wish I had brought back even more!

I.W. Gregorio said...

Grace!

Don't know if you remember me from high school, but it's Ilene, who you may remember as the often sulky and inappropriately dressed girl who was the "other" Chinese kid at NHHS.

I Googled you the other day during a moment of reflection on submerged artistic desires, and I am SO THRILLED to see that you're living the dream. I love everything I've seen about "The Ugly Vegetables", and I remember the book you illustrated for Mrs. Morgan's English class.

Long story short, I've done a bit of writing myself, but mostly I've done the dutiful daughter thing and am now a surgical resident (in urology no less, the to the scandal of my grandmother), which makes me understand just the teensiest bit the excruciating limbo of Robert's illness. I am truly sorry.

I know you're tremendously busy, but would love to hear from you if you have a spare net-moment. IlenedotWong at Gee-Mail.