Santa. I FOUND HIM! Halloween HONG KONG Style.

SO. I heard the rumors about Halloween here in Hong Kong but thought the Americans really knew how to dress it up and put up the high bar when it came to doing the Halloween thing. BOY was I totally WRONG. Letmmme tell you- we could learn a lot from these party people! :)

I started the day at the office and went to lunch with Sonia and she was insistent that we left early for lunch (11:40) to get to the little place because there are only 12 seats and you have to wait in line for a sit so we don't want to wait! Well I was walking a little slow so we had to wait for 10 minutes- gave me time to look at the menu (no worries, it was in English). Here's the restaurant, me with my meal (a bowl of soup and noodles- I got the most spicy and loved it!), and then the line of people waiting when we left-

And then after returning to the office and seeing the decorations for Halloween on the streets I decided I need to go and see what the party was like to get the full HNK experience.
I'm so glad that Dan from the Charlottesville office came over and was here just in time for Halloween. I knew I wouldn't want to venture out alone but now with a friend from Cville- heck yes I was hitting the streets! So we went off! "LKF" is where the party was at.

 We got there in time to tour through the streets and area in LKF where the Party would be taking place. While there, the Police (there were about 200+ out) were already busy putting up the barricades to restrict entrances places. It's one street. and a million people. yeaah..doesn't really work but they sure do a good job of trying to make it!

Yes. So they have the metal guards up around the streets creating an area leading the crowd down the hill, around the corner, and then back to the other side to enter into the LKF area (remember, that's an area of one street). This walk they create for people would probably be around 2.5 miles to take all the way around..and I just didn't feel like walking it! SO. we get to the bottom of the hill and I ask the police if I can walk against traffic and go home. He sent me around the corner to 2 more police and I just kept saying "I live up there, up there" (while pointing up the hill, not even the direction I live). Dan was following but VERY UNSURE of every step I was taking!) The police allowed us to go. Well that lead to a dark alley with weird people in costumes- I was feeling a little note sure so I cut across again to the big parade route. Dan now was REALLY unsure of what moves I was making! I got back in the parade route and went against traffic- walking behind the police that were watching all the people. Dan was sweating following my steps. We get to the top- more police. Again- "I live up there, I just want to go home...OH he lives in my apartment too!" oh ok, you can go (from police) and we went under the rope, around the metal and were SAFE!!! Dan said thought he was going to be left and was so surprised I covered for him- I told him I needed someone to take my picture..ddddddduuuuh! haha He said I was the mentos person- things just worked out for me. I told him it was the blond hair that had the police under my control. BOOM. here some pics- 

The guy with the hair was from the movie the Ring- he was come out of an apple box. and the other guy. he was black and painted white with a zipper effect that showed the bleeding red- it was an intense outfit and have no idea where its from but OF COURSE needed it in my picture!

Little kids were EVERYWHERE. And people looooved pictures. People were taking pictures of ME (not dressed up one bit) but this little dude was just standing posing for the 30 cameras and then this lady got in a picture with him- no, thats not his mom or friend..

AND THEN I saw his great guy who we will all hope visits our house in 60 days!!!!!! He's tryin to pack on the LB's before his big 24 day of travel on Dec 24. He was literally at a bar outside having a drink and talking to a girl. I went up and was like CAN I PLEASE HAVE A PICTURE?!?! And lucky me, Santa said yes! Guess it makes sense for Santa to live here or hang out until Christmas Eve since we are 12 hours ahead.

Soooooooooo that's all I got for Halloweenie. It was pretty wild. And I'm so glad to have someone here to go around with me so they can be cautious and I can lead (Meggo- it's like have you back!) Enjoy your Friday and I'll be back tomorrow after some exploring I've planned. PEACEOUT!