Hong Kong Sun, Chinese Volleyball, and French Rugby

Quick Update: Hey everyone! We arrived in Chengdu a couple of days ago and everything is going well. (well= everyone is still alive and no one has any incurable diseases) It has been a very interesting trip but nonetheless a great one!

This is a picture from my favorite day thus far. About a week ago a couple of my friends and I decided that on our free day in Hong Kong we would try to master both the subway and the public bus system in one day and head for the beach.  An adventure not for the faint at heart! About an hour later we arrived on the salty shores of Repulse Bay. After playing catch with a frisbee and swimming for a while Dylan and I noticed two Chinese peers playing volleyball and we were soon playing with them on the sand that would later burn our feet.

 After searching through a construction site filled with rusty nails and broken glass for our volleyball we finished our first game. The two Chinese girls left immediately afterwards to hide from the sun under a palm tree but allowed us to keep playing with their ball. After we played around for only about 3 minutes a French father and his 14 year old son came over and asked if they could join us. Of course we said "yes" but we soon needed a break from the 95 degree heat with humidity that sucked the life out of you and jumped into the ocean for relief. When we came back they were gone and the Chinese took their volleyball back and we were left with nothing to do. 

Soon the French came back but this time with their rugby ball. Being curious I soon left the comfort from the shade to learn how to throw this awkwardly shaped ball. (although similar to a football it is not the same, nor thrown the same) Ten minutes later we had an intense game of rugby going although only half the people on the field knew how to play. When we were done it was time for us to leave to insure that we did not miss our flight to inner China.  

What a crazy day: mastering public transportation in Hong Kong, getting sunburned to a new extreme on a near-tropical beach only an hour bus ride from the heart of Hong Kong, playing volleyball with two Chinese ladies that spoke little English, learning to play rugby with a crazy French family, and realizing you're not in Kansas anymore. A priceless day.