Dim Sum and Then Some

If Frommer's wrote a guide called "How to Touch Everything in Hong Kong...and I mean every inch (or centimeter) of it", Cole would be the author. There are signs everywhere that boast the city's cleanliness. Most of them say that an area is sanitized 4 times a day. That doesn't put my mind at ease when Cole sticks his head in a garbage can, drags his hand on the railing walking to the Star Ferry, or decides the middle of the walkway is a good place to take a seat and rest for a while.  Not to mention having to change a stinky diaper four times today in various public restrooms - more like glorified outhouses. I started out a bit of a germaphobe and, I have to admit, I am lightening up about it as a means of survival...I would drive everyone nuts if I sanitized their hands as much as I would like...every 6 minutes is what I would prefer.

Today, we met a few of Todd's co-workers and their friends out for Dim Sum. This was our first true Dim Sum experience...waiters walking with carts of food, tons of choices...they stop, you look at what they have, pick something out and put it on a huge lazy susan in the middle of the table for everyone to share. The food was delicious and we enjoyed the new experience. After lunch, we headed to the Star Ferry to go over to Kowloon Park.  The kids, Noelle, and I visited this park before, but not like this. During the week, we were one of only a few in this enormous park. The weekends are like a whole different Hong Kong. Today, it was packed with people. We watched a Kung Fu demonstration and went to the children's park. Again, so very crowded. I have never been in a city that has hoards of people everywhere you turn.  There are approximately 300,000 domestic helpers in Hong Kong, mostly from the Philippines and Indonesia.  The average household has a nanny, even those that have a parent that stays at home.  You'll see the nannies out and about with kids during the week (sometimes with the mom and many times without).  Sundays, however, are their day off.  Since they are all live-in helpers, they congregate outside during their time away from the families. They are sitting in the streets, at the MTR station, lined up by the ferry, in staircases, on pedestrian walkways, and in the middle of streets that are shut down for this purpose. They're playing cards, doing each other's hair and nails, learning dances, and having jovial conversations.  I have never seen anything like it.  I don't think my pictures can do it justice.

The domestic helpers are in crowds like this EVERYWHERE!  I'm talking thousands and thousands of people lined up, sitting on cardboard boxes and blankets. For those of you that read The Help, I can't stop thinking that their lives here are a bit like those of the nannies in the book. I feel like it's a novel waiting to be written.

The girls braving the dim sum with chopsticks

Both girls loved the spinach dumplings.

I think Cole enjoyed stabbing the food more than eating it.

Of course, we had to stop at Starbucks before boarding the ferry. Cole loves to take sips of my chai tea latte

Yes, Cole wanted to touch the birds, too.

Kowloon park doesn't disappoint. We were in a different section of it today than we were last week.

Kung Fu!

Todd doesn't stand out at all, does he?

Cole is very weary about walking over any grates in the street. He will stop cold and nothing else stops him.  Ever. Today, he got up the courage to walk over one...

Thinking about it...

Woo hoo! Now, nothing will stop him...

The area of Kowloon park we were in is called "Sculpture Park." I'm assuming the nose on this particular sculpture has significance...like Lincoln's does in Springfield.

Todd and the girls are in there somewhere.

The sanitation crew!

The girls met an 8 year old that asked if they wanted to jump rope. They have briefly met kids from all over the world...mostly at our apartment pool.

Noelle has been sick the last 2 days and after a visit to a Chinese hospital, has medication that will hopefully kick in soon so she can enjoy her last 2 days in Hong Kong.  We hope to have a fun filled and packed couple of days ahead of us!