Oh, the places you'll go: March 2021

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Thank you, Asia "Stairs" (61 days left)

I suppose a blog about stairs sounds like a silly thing. But I will say that each summer we have been home, I have noticed how my stair climbing goes way down. It's not that I like it very much, but I do know it is good for me. . .

so much so that when we lived in Korea there were several weeks that I only used the stairs to get to our 15th floor flat. At the time I was a part of a "biggest loser" challenge with other staff members. That was tough! At first I could walk up five flight before getting winded, then eight, the 10, and finally I could make it the whole way without stopping. I couldn't do that today! (See blog "My old nemesis: stairs" from Nov. 5, 2011 for more.)

Goodmorning Hill apartments - all 25 stories tall.

However, since living in Hong Kong I have completed what I perceive to be a huge stair challenge: The Twins. There is a hike here with beautiful views that crests twin peaks. To get to the top of the first, rumor has it that it is a 1000 stair climb. I didn't count them, but it certainly challenged me big time! Once at the peak of the first mountain, there was no view! It turns out you must go down a bit and then up MORE STAIRS to get to the view. I managed to do it once. (Others "run the Twins" weekly or more.)

A not-so-flattering selfie while climbing the stairs of the Twins

And that's not all to the stairs. At both KIS and HKIS there were stairs to climb on the campuses. I believe I was on the fourth floor at KIS. Here, my classroom is on the 7th (but only two floors above the main 5th floor). However, if and when one has a class in the "dungeons" - that is the first floor - and then has a class on the 7th or 8th floor. . . well, you certainly get a workout. In the case of our students, there are times when they go down to the field and then up to classrooms; that involves about 15 stories to climb.

Adam on the HKIS high school stairs

The middle school stairwell

Some of the steps from the field to the HS

So, too, the city itself is replete with stairs. So if you are out and about just walking around the city, you are almost guaranteed to climb some stairs. Sometimes they are quite interesting. All are unique. Also, there are certain apartment buildings built several decades ago that are six stories with no elevator. Imagine living there - lugging your young child, your groceries, or yourself on crutches.

out and about in HK

Photo credit: Russell R.

Photo Credit: Russell R.

Steps to the Big Buddha on Lantau Island

At the Lion King entrance

In Macau

In Central, HK walking district (more stairs)

Perhaps I am not completely thankful for stairs in Asia, but in the end, they have done more good than harm and have led to many amazing views.

Stairs from the catchment to Tai Tam Country Park

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Thank you, Asia "Pop up gardens in Korea" (62 days left)

Something that never ceased to fascinate me in Korea were the tiny gardens that seemed to pop up just about anywhere there was dirt or even gravel. These gardens were not on property owned by families or individuals, but simply small plots of public land. The people tending them were the elders, those who lived through the Korean war and knew all too well about food insecurity.

For example, one could be riding down the highway and spot a tiny garden just up the embankment next to a grove of bushes or trees. This area, hardly noticed by anyone, provided a small plot of earth to grow vegetables. Another popular spot was a small 4' x 8' area of gravel next to one of the walking paths near us. Gravel would be shoved aside and spring onions would be popping through.

Every now and then we would spot the gardeners - old men and women carrying a bucket of water up from the nearby stream to tend their precious garden. They wore straw hats and mismatched bright patterned clothes.

For awhile in a nearby neighborhood, there was quite a large plot of undeveloped land that had clearly evolved into a community garden. We used to enjoy watching all the gardeners squatting down and taking such care for their plants. Then one day the gardens were wiped out and bulldozers were poised to begin building new apartment buildings.

Sadly, this was a bit of a sign of things to come. Notice that none of the gardeners were young and none of the plots were owned. I am fairly certain that within a generation, this sign of a tenacious, scrappy Korea who still remembers what it is to live intertwined with nature will be gone along with those who have tended them.

Monday, March 29, 2021

Thank you, Asia "Bali" (63 days left in HK)

In September 2013, our family had the privilege of traveling to Bali, Indonesia for a week. Bali always sounded like an exotic place, and it was. I have a full blog on our stay but will hit a few of the highlights that come to mind even eight years later.

The traditional Balinese costumes, dancing, and storytelling are quite distinct. The women begin quite young learning how to look left and right with their eyes just so. And they train their hands to arch back to a 90 degree angle. It is quite precise and unique to Bali.

Also unique to our experience in Bali was visiting a Civet Tea operation. Apparently wild civet cats sometimes eat coffee beans and then 40 minutes later poop them out. Harvesters find the scat and process it into super expensive coffee, known for its mild flavor.

We also took a bike ride with fellow KIS colleagues down a volcanic mountain through villages, rice fields, and by a humungous banyan tree.

Our tour guide showed us his home and discussed at length Balinese cultural gender expectations. We met his whole family, who's hand-crafted wood carvings were unbelievable.

We very much enjoyed our 2-story villa in Ubud, snorkeling off of the northern part of the island, and a beach before leaving.

We were surprised to find the only black sand beaches were ever encountered while on our travels.

A dead pufferfish on the black sand beach

Volcanic rock created black this sand beach.

Very memorable was both the Monkey Park - filled with monkeys, of course -

and cremation ceremony which took place in Ubud while we were there. This ritual takes place once every five years and is solemn and celebratory with all attending (even tourists).

Bali is a place I would be happy to return to given an opportunity. The place and people were both lovely, the culture was rich and interesting, and the opportunities to experience the culture were numerous.

Hot Springs to bathe in, and we did.

A banyan tree to drive through.

Balinese architecture

Thank you for these amazing opportunities, Bali.

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Thank you, Asia "Japan" (64 days left)

March 28, 2021

Just over seven years ago we made our only trip as a family to Japan. We went to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Deer Island.

Osaka

Our arrival in Kyoto also ushered in our era without White Puppy, Alec's favorite childhood stuffed animal, as he left him in a taxi. (I may have grieved White Puppy's loss more than Alec.) The Airbnb we stayed at had four levels, each level with it's own room or two. At the top level there was a child's bedroom with many clowns in it. Adam still remembers the horror of having to sleep there.

In Osaka we enjoyed the covered market and the Japanese pancake. We also ate sushi, sat in an ansan (public bath similar to those in Korea), and visited palaces.

On the mountain where the monks have a temple

Sushi

Deer Island

Gate to Deer Island

Japanese Pancake

We wanted to be there for the Spring cherry blossoms, but found they were only beginning to emerge the day we flew out.

Of course the most memorable part of our trip was going to Hiroshima, seeing the bombed out "dome" which still remains as a memorial to the dropping of the Atomic bomb by the US and a reminder that we never want this to happen again. Another reminder was the museum there with a clock counting down the time since the most recent nuclear missile testing, artefacts from the devastation, stories, and a place to write letters about your response to the events that took place.

The countdown clock in March 2014

The Dome at night (lit on the left)

Outside of the museum there is an eternal flame that was brought down from a mountain where monks have tended a flame for millenia.

There is no commercialization of the horrible event and the city itself has moved on and is entirely modernized and vibrant.

Traditional costume at a wedding

Octopus for sale

Arigato for the memories, Japan.

Thank you, Asia "Silly Signage" (65 days left)

March 27, 2021

I wish I had images of silly t-shirts in translation. They are the best. But it is in poor form to take pictures of a stranger as they walk by. So, the best I can do is offer silly signage. This, too, has been entertaining these past eleven years.

Hailing from Korea. . .