Still a yuppy at heart!

I have discovered free internet - and all I have to do is sell my soul to the gods of coffee and capitalism. I'm comforting myself with the fact that it ain't starbux, and hopefully owned by a Hong Kong local. Actually it's my first coffee since I've arrived, and I am enjoying it (although if I was drinking it in aus, I would class it as dodgy). On the other hand, the toasted bagel with cream cheese is yummo. Oh and I probably paid the same for the coffee and bagel and I have for most of my meals here. It's a treat (and only $7).

I had a totally full on day in China yesterday. Although as Rita warned me, it ain't real China, its a border town built up to appeal to shoppers. We left HK at 8am, and was at the Chinese border by 9. I and 4 others went through the gweilo queue, while the rest of the world went through the Chinese or Hong Kong lines. Although due to the masses of people, poor Rita thought she lost me. (She doesn't realise how tough I am!). By 10 we were already getting massaged, starting off with an hour long foot massage (reflexology), followed by 2 hours of chinese full body massage. Now as some of you may know, I like a bit of massage, but what I have had previously did not resemble the torture I went through yesterday. Now I was told it is meant to hurt and after you feel relaxed as hell. I'm still not entirely convinced. Unlike (what I will refer to as) Western Massage, where the massaur (sp?) will find the tender spots and delicately relax you, in Chinese massage they find the tender spot, and take a jackhammer to it - Seriously! Now I did feel better after but it hurt like hell. And I appreciate it was cheap (less than $20 for the 3 hrs) but I kinda miss the relaxing sort of massage. Oh did I mention that I also got a manicure and then after lunch had a facial - again that involved an element of pain, they massage your face with jade - don't ask!

We had a yummy yum cha lunch (my first in HK/China) and then went back for our facial. I'm sure Rita was enjoying my squeals of pain! Still it was definately a local thing to do, in the morning when we arrived I didn't see any gweilos, although there were a few in the avo. After a facial we then got stuck into the shopping, I didn't go too wild, a couple of necklaces and dvds - shoes were cheap but not in my size! If you like copy bags and that sort of stuff there was plenty but not really my thing (unless of cause they were stupidly cheap, which they weren't). By the time we headed back to the HK border, the rest of China had the same idea. It was impressive, 1000's of people all heading back to the border, very orderly, and as Rita pointed out, you still feel like you have space around you. Once again, the gweilo line was nice and short. And by 9pm we were back on the train to HK, although by then I had a killer head ache from being pocked and prodded all day. Had the best hot shower when I got to my hotel (none of these woosy london showers) and slept great.

Today I'm exploring HK Island, cause I haven't had a chance yet. Oooh and hopefully see Mira sometime. Besides, I need to find where I'm going to be working tomorrow. I can't believe I'm here to work, this feels like a holiday. (A great holiday at that!)