the great fire wall of china

i... strongly apologize for the complete lack of posts. i did not realize blogger would be blocked in china. consequently, i'll just be posting a conclusive blog back on my main thought blog on the experience as a whole.

d

Before I Forget..

I have to blog today's activities, but I have to wake up at 7AM tomorrow for Shantou... so I'll just do it on the bus or something lol.

For those itching for a read... I realized that I haven't updated you on what the itinerary is.

Look no further!

SUMMER TRAINING COURSE: FOCUSING ON HOST IMMUNE RESPONSES & EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
June 22nd to July 30th 2009, Shantou University, China

A) Theoretical lessons will take place in the mornings (5 weeks, provisional schedule, gaps will be occupied with additional seminars and discussion meetings):

Dr. David Kelvin (STUMC/Univ. of Toronto), June 22nd-26th and July 30th, 2009, Host response to emerging infectious diseases
Prof. Micheal Ratcliffe (Univ. of Toronto), June 29th-July 2nd, 2009, Immunology: Species aviation of B-cell responses, specialty in Bird immunology
Prof. Guan Yi (HKU), To be determined,Viral Evolution
Prof. Honglin Chen (HKU), July 15th-16th, 2009, Molecular virology
Prof. Gavin Smith (HKU), July 18th and 20th, 2009, Viral Evolution, Bioinformatics
Prof. Piero Cappuccinelli (Univ. of Sassari), July 18th and 20th, 2009, Emerging infectious diseases, Bacteriology, Parasitology
Prof. Xiao Yong (STUMC)m July 21st - 22nd, 2009, Traditional Chinese Medicine
Prof. Salvatore Rubino (Univ. of Sassari), July 23th-29th, 2009, Salmonella,emerging enteric pathogens
Dean Jiang Gu (STUMC), To be determined, Pathology of emerging infectious diseases
Prof. Liqun Jin (STUMC), To be determined, Parasitology and mosquito biology and infectious agents

B) The practical program will take place in the afternoons (5 weeks, provisional schedule):

Introduction to techniques commonly used in influenza research
Experimental immunization in mice against influenza infection
Assessment of antiviral properties of plant extracts
Introduction to mosquito biology

C) Visit to different locations of interest in the Guangdong Province, 1 week (dates and itinerary to be determined)

Two for the Show.

I've been so ridiculously busy that I will have to blog my two days in one post. BTW. I finally got my camera, so pics from now on!

Thursday June 18, 2009 - Shop Till Ya Drop

Woke up nice and early and burnt time keeping on top of all things Canadian via the web. Grabbed an octopus card (tap this card to get on busses and trains) from my cousin and took a bus to the local Tai Po station and then a train towards Mong Kok station. I have to say that the transit in HK is efficient, user-friendly and just way ahead of the game (compared to the TTC). I met up with Matthew and Farrah and thus commenced a long day of shopping. There is a big difference from where I was today as opposed to where I am living in Tai Po. To put it simply, it's much busier and more international. People stand outside of the stores and advertise cell phone demos to customers. Stores are a bit pushier here as well. In the end, I managed to purchase a cell phone, digital camera and some dress clothes. Thanks to Matt, I learned the asian skill of haggling. We ate at Pizza Hut in Mong Kok and it was quite interesting. We had a set meal for $30 CAD, which consisted of soft drinks, mussels, chicken wings, seafood pizza and a spaghetti. What I have come to realise, is that in Canada, we have Manchu Wok and other 'westernized asian food'. In HK, they have 'easternized white food'. LoL.

We later met my cousin at Lang Kwai Fong. It was like clubbing 2.0. I felt as though I was in Canada, as there were very modern bars and clubbing scene. Lady GaGa seemed to be a club favourite as I heard it everywhere I went. The specific club I went to had a live band that was capable of playing and singing EVERY song that night (from Coldplay and Jason Mraz to Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa). The crowd was very international and I met people from Australia, Canada, England, etc. One thing I have to say as a foreigner, is that it is easy to make small talk at LKF, simply because everyone's a foreigner! Just say 'Where are YOU from?' and there you go!

Friday June 19, 2009 - Money Money Money.

I will make this one a bit shorter.

Events-wise. Today I went cycling from Tai Po to Ma On Shan (1.5 hour ride) with my uncle and cousin. It was 33 degrees today. Needless to say, I was drenched in sweat. Despite the heat, I will admit that the views were quite awesome, etc etc (I feel like this is getting really old now lol). We rode back to Tai Po and by this time, I had been absolutely wrecked. Between you and I -- I had diaper rash. C'mon. Let's be honest... I was really sweaty and sitting/rubbing/riding on a seat for 3 hours was just ridiculous.

Oh - One interesting thing I saw was the HKU Science Park. It's like 20 MDCL's (for McMaster Alums) interconnected with waterfountains and supercool science-y structures.

Nevertheless, one more day until Shantou!

d

I Wish You Were Here

'I dig my toes into the sand...

The ocean looks like a thousand diamonds strewn across a blue plate
I lean against the wind, pretend that I am weightless
And in this moment I am happy
I wish you were here.'

Today I woke up and was dropped off by my cousin at a local dim sum restaurant. I was supposed to meet yet another aunt of mine for lunch. I was standing around, aimlessly looking about the plaza for her. I heard a voice "Ng Cheuk Kayyyy!". I didn't really recognize her at all, which was unusual, since I easily recognized my other family members quite easily. We quickly called for a table and sat down. Shortly after, I met my little cousin, of whom was only a baby last time I saw him. Twelve years later, he is taller than me and bigger than me. What the heck! My uncle also joined us for lunch.

We debated on all the various activities we could do and where they could take me. Ultimately they decided to take me to the beach for swimming.

We headed back to their apartment via its own personal direct shuttle. Their place was ridiculously beautiful. Palm trees where everywhere, a pool in the centre of a circular plaza surrounded by small apartments. Everything was renovated with a glossy wood finish. We went up to my uncle's place and grabbed some swimming gear as well as water. Oh, one thing I realized is that it's important to bring water.

On that topic, remember my key lesson learnt about bug spray yesterday? Well, today I brought out sunscreen, bugspray and deodorant in a sport bag. It paid off to be prepared!

We drove along the highway and my uncle pointed out all the projects he took part in along the way. We drove in loops around mountains until we reached an enclosed portion where the ocean met a U shaped portion of the mountains. At the bottom of the U was the beach and to the left and right was mountain. There are also islands studded in the ocean. It was stunning!

We parked and went to the strip of stores nearby to purchase a pair of shorts. It was quite cheap. I saw a pair of billabong shorts for 70 dollars HKD (or 10 dollars CAD). I wouldn't know exactly if they were real, but whatever. I got myself a decent pair of shorts for cheap. The funny thing is - my aunt asked - "Derek, what's up with those shorts? They're not for swimming"... Apparently in Hong Kong, Speedos are all the rage! I wouldn't mind them, it's just that I would prefer not to use them in Canada =P.

The water was nice and warm! However, it was SALTY!!!! My eyes burned whenever a wave crashed into me unexpectedly. Swimming was really fun and I loved it there more than anywhere else I've been in Canada (no surprise though)

I told my uncle a lot about my life and where I plan on going with myself. Which brings me to my next point - manners. However, I have to meet Matthew Chan at Mong Kok now and I really gotta wrap this story up! I've got way to much to blog and way too little time to type it out. I miss everyone in Canada!

Four days until Shantou where the real work begins!

d

Quit Monkeying Around!

I had no idea that 'Monkeying' was a word.

Today I went out with my cousin as he had to meet several of his business partners from around Hong Kong.

We first went to pick up my aunt to drop her off at the hospital. She is having pain in the abdomen and digestive problems. The doctors are unsure of what exactly is making her ill. They have already once screened her and it appears to be a growth in the GI tract. However, whether it is malignant is simply not clear.

The hospital was quite modern and busy with a steady flow of patients. I joined the norm of the building and donned a surgical mask under the advice of my aunt. I followed the nurse escort with my aunt and cousin towards the GI area in which she was to find her bed. Here I saw patients, some writhing in pain, others simply staring out the window. We checked in with the nurse at the desk and dropped my aunt off at the waiting area for her bed.

My cousin and I had a discussion on the differences between health care in Hong Kong and Canada. I was not surprised to conclude that we are quite fortunate in Canada.

We visited a restaurant for breakfast and I quickly realized that I was in a predicament without pictures and english subtitles. Luckily, I knew a lot of Chinese dishes and menus from eating with my parents in Toronto. I ordered a hearty breakfast consisting of pork chops in noodle, a ham'n'egg sandwich and a cold yeen/yern (half coffee, half tea beverage).

The next set of events was a bit confusing as I do not know the destinations in Hong Kong clearly. I do know that wherever I went, the architecture and landscape constantly impressed me. There are apartments here that would compete with some of our tallest corporate buildings in Toronto. The tallest ones of course would easily dwarf ours in comparison.

Our dim sum lunch was incredible. It was in a restaurant overlooking the ocean. Needless to say, I have not seen such sights. The food was also at rock bottom prices. Four dollars Canadian could buy you a hearty meal.

After my cousin had finally finished his business itinerary for the day, we met with his two friends, who happened to be police officers. We went to New Territories and up a winding road to a mountainous area. Without much warning, my cousin took me hiking through the mountains. Note to self: ALWAYS CARRY BUG REPELLENT. I was very uncomfortable in my street clothes, but I could deal with that.

The hike was absolutely breathtaking. Luscious green mountains, calm pools of water, red sand and MONKEYS! I also saw snakes and cows as well. I had no idea that Hong Kong harbored such an interesting fauna. By the end of the excursion, I had sweat until my clothes were drenched. All my years working out at the university gym could not have prepared me for how difficult the trek actually was. Nevertheless, the sights were worth every drop of sweat.

d

Touchdown!

Hello.

The plane ride was awesome. I really enjoyed looking at the geography along the way (mountains, arctic ice sheets, etc). Cathay Pacific was really good in terms of food, service and entertainment. I arrived in Hong Kong today an hour early at 12PM, so more points for Cathay!

Just as I expected, it is hot (30 degrees) and humid! I met up with my family and had a nice dim sum lunch. I'm staying in an awesome penthouse-style place. Pictures to come soon after I unpack and get settled. Another short blog for today as I am fully ready to snooze away!

d

Packed and Ready!

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go!

Just for those who don't exactly know what's going on and why I'm blogging about this adventure that I am about to embark on...

Here are the quick facts!

- Haven't been to Hong Kong (or on an airplane for that matter) since 1999! - Never been elsewhere in China.

- Staying in HK for a week (June 14th - 21st), then heading to Shantou University to learn how about and handle infectious diseases (June 21st - July 31st)

- UofT generously provided airfare, Shantou University providing accomodation and meals

- Spending time in HK with family and friends after that until August 21st.

Update you after the LONG flight!

d