The Bus thing
Actually, we (Julie, Sydney and I) got hit by a bus.
Waldo the Volvo must hate my guts.
The reflection is kind of weird but this is a shot of the latest damage. The story is, we were headed to Pacific Place (one of the many very sophisticated shopping malls) to buy Sydney some toe shoes for ballet, more on that later. We're passing though Wan Chai (part of which is a red light district) on Queens Rd. E at the intersection of Spring Garden Lane (for those familiar with Greensboro). Suddenly, this huge bus decides he needs to be in my lane. This is normal procedure for the drivers here, especially these behemoths. After wondering out loud how far into my lane he is going to merge, I stop the car only to have him merge even further and tag the front end of Waldo. Damage is to the bumper and the fender.
Here's some more pics just so you can get the visual:
3:45, Saturday afternoon on a very busy street. Fortunately, the bus stopped far enough away from the curb to let the taxi's pass. That would be the red and white car to the left of the bus, going around.
This is the money shot for Traffic Team 6 (the police squad that's handling my case). Note how far into my lane this guy is. After we stop, I get out of the car shooting off at the mouth like a sailor. The bus driver gets out with no expression and says, "call Police?" To which I replied, "you damn right we're calling the Police!" That was the only interaction I had with him.
It's hot, I'm sweaty, pissed off, embarrassed AND the only caucasian in sight AND, I'm holding up traffic while getting the usual stares. Meanwhile, this guy could care less. He actually looked like he was glad to be getting a break from driving. Brought to mind the phrases "don't sweat the small stuff" and "it's all small stuff".
That horizontal clean spot on his grill? My bumper did that.
Stopped in the middle of the flippin' road, people and traffic everywhere. BUT, check out the back window. If you look real close you can see my new Carolina Panthers PSL sticker. Don't see any of those in this town!
Still, I drive undaunted. I'm actually getting to know my way around a whole lot better than before. It's like the sense of direction that I never had in the US has finally developed. Here in Hong Kong.
Here's my Missy Ballerina sporting the now infamous new toe shoes.
Quick Updates
Sydney's trip to the Ark Orphanage in Chengdu is right around the corner. We're all psyched.
Alex will be going to Guam to race in the Asia Pacific Athletic Conference (APAC) championships. We like his chances. Evidently, this year the travel arrangements are a bit different. They fly from HK to Tokyo then to Guam. They used to fly Philippine Airlines but some of the parents last year pitched a fit because that airlines is on the FAA watch list. His trip is about HK$9800. I'm going too but since I'm old enough to make my own decisions, I am going to fly Philippine Air. My ticket, HK$2100. Oh, and Guam is home to the largest K-Mart in the world. Who cares. Yippee!
We have finally hired a helper. Emely Lamug is the newest addition to our household. She started yesterday and already has made an impact on all of us. We're fortunate to have her. More about Emely later.
Finally, I want to give props to our good friends and neighbors from Dublin, the Smarts. Keith has just been named the new head coach for the Golden State Warriors. Keith is extremely talented and is most deserving of this new position. Congratulations to him, Carol, Andre and Jared. We miss you guys a bunch.
