What the Bri'ian's lack in "T's" the Chinese make up in "Teas"

Wow, I can't believe it's been a week. It seems like 2 or 3... maybe a month. After fellow CNETS (Chatteris Native English speaking Teachers) arrived on Monday things were set in motion. Last Wednesday we went to an orientation camp on a "rural" island which houses the airport, Disneyland and thousands of people. Not "rural" compared to Mora, Minnesoata. Camp was great, and quick with accelerated lessons to prepare us to interact with students. Students ranged from 17-20 years old and typically spoke English well. The other, hidden agenda, for the camp was to better get to know fellow CNETS as this is key bonding time to find a roommate for the next 10 months. One week is hardly enough to get to know anyone...

Below is what I learned in the last week:

1. British English is harder to understand than Cantonese English (the Britts don't pronounce T's)

2. Knackered means tired or worn out

3. First impressions are the longest lasting and the least helpful

4. Apartment hunting is a dangerous game yet the sketchiest parts of Hong Kong remind me of Parkland and I find it comforting.

5. Stealing a room service cart from the hallway to flip on it's side for a beer pong table is not acceptable. Cameras can prove it

6. Paying by octopus does not involve a fishing trip

7. A seductive "Mmmm", 3 double takes, refusal to help me find an apartment and countless questions and stares are all part of being 6'5" in Hong Kong.

8. Stealing internet should be considered an Olympic sport.

9. Don't drink the water.... just trust me on this one

10. McDonalds is so good it hurts... literally. Too many $2 McFlurry's are not good for anyone

11. Eating peanut butter out of a jar with a finger is "one of the most American things I've seen."

12. A visa picture of you with long hair and plaid shirt qualify you as an "all american"

13. Harry Potter books are not limited to JK Rowling's books... http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.11points.com%2FBooks%2F11_Amazing_Fake_%2527Harry_Potter%2527_Books_Written_In_China&h=4a6f6wBQZpKK330Berx3HygDXHw

14. I still can't understand what anyone from the UK is saying.

15. Stars have been replaced by windows left on in skyscrapers

16. Wan Chai and Chai Wan are different by about an hour

17. It's not rain, it's water dripping from any of the 20+ floors above you

18. I'm probably going to end up living in the red light district

19. There's a Hermoine Granger in every class

20. PBJ is now considered soul food

21. Man Fuk and Mang Kok are common places in Hong Kong

22. Both Harry Potter and Ron Weasley are CNETS

23. Sometimes it's more sanitary to not wash your hands after using the toilet.

Hopefully pictures will be up soon to better explain the above. Especially number 5.

Talk to you all soon. Don't forget skype!

Love

Tyler