Hong Kong 2018

Last Thursday, we took the 8am train from Nanning East to Shenzhen, first class. It was nice, as on Chinese trains it is well worth the upgrade to first class. We then hopped a taxi to the HK border. Crossing took a bit of time, mostly because Chinese customs agents didn't seem to understand that, as resident holders, we don't need any card when we leave as tourists do. It wasn't a huge deal, just frustrating. We then crossed in to Hong Kong, which was smooth and efficient. After that it was a train ride to Kowloon. My coworker Charlie was with us, as he was also flying out of Hong Kong (though a few days after us).

We stayed at the Imperial. A solid 3 star hotel in a great location. The first day we headed for dinner in Chungking Mansions, a notorious backpacker/traveller place that doe not live up to reputation for danger or adventure, but certainly does for high quality Indian food at rock bottom prices.

The next day I took Yen to the Peak.  To get there you take the Peak tram, walk through a shopping mall, and exit. I've done it several times now, but she never has. It is cool, but probably the last time I'll do it unless with someone who really wants to. The views remain amazing, but I've done it. We also did a walk around Hong Kong island, which is always fun. That night we found Ned Kelly's bar in Kowloon , and had fish and chips and a pint of HK beer. 

The next day, on Charlie's suggestion, we took a harbour cruise, which took an old Star Ferry out to Lantau and back, docking at Hong Kong Disneyland. It was a very cool way to see Hong Kong, and something I would love to do again. Being that the port is the whole reason for the existence of Hong Kong, a visit does seem incomplete unless you get out on it. We also saw the Kowloon gardens and the HK History Museum. The museum was very interesting, if only for its honesty. Mainland museums tend to be big to propaganda (not a bad word in the mainland) and light on facts. It was interesting to see Tiananmen Square brought up so casually, and accurately, or the fact that many of the mainland's best and brightest fled to Hong Kong where they would be safe from Mao and the cultural revolution. I wonder if it is translated in to Chinese as honestly.

At this point I have been back and forth through that city several times, and while I love it, it reminds me a bit of when I used to get back from Seoul, or as I do with Manila or Cebu now. Always a good time, but not a lot to actually write about, as I've written about it all before. It is more of a journal entry that a blog, though I guess that is okay as well.

the Harbour

Star Ferries

From the Peak

Kowloon Gardens

Old Clock Tower.

Last Monday in Nanning

It is dawn here in Nanning on my last Monday morning here. Next Monday morning I will be in Manila, waking to some eggs and chicken adobo, and probably heading to MOA to get some much needed new clothes.

My last post was fairly down. I think because I had been talking about Korea with a friend here who is going back, and what is on offer there financially. I am also a bit annoyed at the way the university has us out within 48 hours of turning in exams. It is a lack of professional courtesy that no university in Canada would ever extend to a visiting Chinese professor. In Korea I had a month after my last day. I won't even get in to the weekly disaster that was the writing programme. I think the whole semester in general has left a very bad taste in my mouth.

So I should balance that with a more positive view because there is more to be excited about than not. Even if I am not saving as much as I need to be, I have gained that magical two years experience. When and if I do head back to the ROK, I will be eligible for full pension, housing assistance, and a very decent salary. I earned that by coming here. I am actually very fortunate in what I've been able to do in Guangxi personally and professionally, and while it is time to move on, I should be proud of what I have done, not just beat myself up for what I haven't. I also have a great summer ahead. I do wish I was visiting Vancouver, but that will have to wait til next year. I do get to see Yen's family in Manila, and head to Saigon to stay with Mike for a week, which I am also very excited about. Even if I break the bank a bit, I am seeing some of my best friends, giving my wife a great summer, and heading back to a job with a minimum 30% raise. How good is that?

Also, I have been going back over my posts since 2010 and have come to realize something. In 2012 I was on about when I was going to get back to grad school. In 2014 I was always on about when I was finishing and moving on from cram schools in Korea. In 2017 I am thinking about getting out of Nanning. Not a lot of living in the moment. So for the rest of the week I plan to do a bit more of that. Today is my last exam followed by 4 hours (at least) of grading. But then it is done. I submit it Tuesday morning and collect my last paycheque. I then have a bit of packing but I mostly hope to enjoy my last couple of days at GXU. I have done everything I wanted to here, so I think it will be more a cup of coffee or a pint by the ficus tree, but that sounds great.

Otherwise, as stated before, I am not feeling much in the way of sentimentality about leaving. I'll miss the people I've met here, but I also know I'll see most of them again in the next 12 months.

Finishing at SCIC

Today I finished my last day of classes at GXU. I still have exams, but with no more classes time here slows right down.

I will miss the students very much, but I do not think I will miss the job or the place. I remember being at Moonkkang when that ship was sinking, and it was not pleasant. This place is the same, and I will be happy to be off to a more secure public job. I also feel that, on a personal note, I have well and truly "done" Guangxi. Of course there are always more places to visit, but I have hit the major areas, and spent more time in Nanning than anyone really needs to. The tickets to Shenzhen are booked, and we will cross in to Hong Kong from there.

I was last in Hong Kong in 2013 with Mike, and Yen has never been there, so that should be fun. I'll be back at the end of August to pick up the new visa, before we head off to a year in Zhuhai. The new job should offer more than my current one, and in an environment that I am excited to explore.

That being said, I am already looking forward to 2019-2020. I am starting to think it may have been a mistake not just going back to Korea this year. Certainly with 3 years I'll be able to get back with a good job, but I am not sure what this next year does for me professionally beyond putting one of the top universities in China on my resume. I am hoping there will be opportunities to grow professionally, but as of now I have no real idea. Personally, I am not actually looking forward to this 6 week break. It will be fun, I'll be in both the Philippines and Vietnam, but I can kiss my semester's savings goodbye. But that is how it works here. Finish my last exam on July 16th, visa expires July 20th. Don't come back til September 3rd. The visa process on the whole has cost me at least one full paycheque, and with this extended break, my last couple.

A friend here put it very well, China simply wants too much for too little.

Not that I am not excited about Guangzhou completely. The region has been one of my favourite places in China, indeed Asia, and the new job does look rewarding.  I also would like to visit Beijing. I do want to head in to September with a positive outlook, and I am hoping it is a great place to be. I also think being in a more cosmopolitan area will give me a new look at the place. Who knows, I may be on here in 6 months talking about how great it is and signing on for the long term.

However, as I get older, I am more interested in a place to live and make money at a job I like. Canada is an option. What I ultimately would like to do is move back with Yen, finish my BEd, and teach High School somewhere in western Canada. But for now Korea is probably the better bet. Pension, good healthcare, very professional environment, and, well, a lot more money. I came to China to get the professional experience I needed. Two years full time after graduation is considered industry minimum in most places, and as of today I have that. In that sense this has been the best two years of my life. However, I still feel like I am in the proverbial minors, even if the new job is in the Yankees minor league system. I am okay with three years in AAA, but eventually I need to play in the majors or else find another job.

But looking back at SCIC, the highlights (which is always what you remember in the long run) are:
-the coworkers/friends I met here.
-the students.
-the ability to pay for my wedding.
-exploring Guangxi.
-getting the two years.

So what exactly will I do this summer?

I'll be in HK for the weekend before heading to Manila. We will visit Yen's brother and cousins, and buy me some new clothes. We will also visit a few national parks, and celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Then her sister comes in from Connecticut. They will head south for an Arbonida family reunion while I will go to Saigon to sleep on Mike's couch, visit him and Will, and finally pick up my CELTA certificate. Then back to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Zhuhai. Yen will join me a couple weeks after I arrive in Zhuhai.