Day 68 - Vietnam

Nov 4th (Election Day!)

Election Day
Today was Election Day but since we are 12 hours ahead of everyone, we won’t find out till tomorrow the actual results. The boat was buzzing about what could happen. Tomorrow the Election Committee is broadcasting coverage of the presidential election in the Union starting at 7AM. They are streaming what they can of CNN radio and Internet up-dates. Because of the coverage, some of my classes, including Global Studies B, were rescheduled for the nighttime. (At least I get to sleep in!)

Bird Flu Anyone?
Since the Hong Kong authorities require all ship’s passengers to present their temperatures, the medical staff took students’ temperature in the Faculty/Staff lounge during dinnertime. Luckily, I was normal at 32.5o, indicating (hopefully) that I don’t have Bird Flu, (although I could very much have dungue from the amount of Cambodian bug bites on my feet).

Cultural Pre-port
Although Chinese make up 95% of Hong Kong’s population, it has been a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China since 1997. The area uses the Hong Kong dollar rather than the Chinese renminibi (RMB). In order to avoid being a “tacky tourist” we were told:
- It is customary to politely deny a compliment to show humility; do not say thank you .
- Public displays of affection are not considered appropriate
- Chinese are also much quieter than Semester at Sea participants, so try not to be too loud and boisterous.
- A smile is always welcome. Most Chinese are friendly –and very curious.
My LLC (resident advisor) Brooke shared her culinary experiences in Hong Kong. She warned us that there was an outbreak of fake bao it (a white, steamed dumpling with minced meat), since it was made from dyed cardboard and spices. She said she eat them all the time while she was there and probably consumed about two cardboard boxes but still lived. Good News, I guess. She also pointed out that people don’t touch food with hands, and we should try to keep our hands clean using napkins to touch food. Sometimes restaurants will even bring out a plastic tub and tea pot to your table to rinse dishes in hot tea to disinfect them before you eat.

Highs and Lows
My “high” was finding out I don’t have the Bird Flu! My “low” was finding out you can’t actually see the Great Wall of China from space.