K'La's blog in Hong Kong

I spent my winter break in Hong Kong visiting my pen pal Xiu Juan in Wong Tai Sin District.We went sight seeing with her family we saw the Wong Cho Ping it's like the Washington Monument in America. But oh was it cold it was ice cold so cold my nose was dripping and I thought it was going to become snot sickels,it was colder than Ohio on Christmas morn. Than we went to go eat at some place called Yung Kee Restaurant in Wellington Street Central. Xiu had Poon Choi and I had Cha Chaan Teng wow...I didn't pay attention to no one elses food beacuase it was so great it had my mouth savoring every taste of the food like i didnt have another chance to eat it. If you smelled that food yummy yummy in your tummy. But the down side was the smell of the streets ew it smelled like grass and sewear bad combination. I was tring to have some peaceful time...some time to myself but all I heared was people screaming into there cell phones, other people pounding on the pavement,cars yelling at one another wow when you want some peaceful time to yourselves its impossible. Finally we got to go home I was spending the night at Xiu's house (yay) and as soon as I walked into her house they stared at me like I had some beared upon my face Xiu motioned me back to the door and talked to me and told me that its rude to walk into a home without taking off your shoes at the door and greeting the oldest of the house. I felt so embarressed my face turned cherry red I took off my shoes and I said "hello" to her father. They all laughed while they showed me around the house and went to bed.

My Bali Booboo

As I went on my daily shopping trip in Tenganan Village, I smelled fruit as fresh as a new morning, and heard the day to day chatter in the marketplace. I picked up a few things, and not knowing the shopkeepers name, I pointed at him and then at my merchandise, curious of the price. He looked at me with disgust and clear signs of horror. I decided to move on, not knowing that I had just made my first horrible mistake of the morning. Walking along the busy market street, I looked at all the different fruits and vegetables on display in small carts. As I continued browsing, I saw a small child to my left fall down. Concerned for his saftey, I went over to help him up. Once I saw that he was alright, I patted him on the head, gently feeling his head for a bump. As a young woman rushed forward, i heard a loud gasp, and as abruptly as a train crash, the whole street was staring. I could feel their eyes on me, and hear their rude whispers. After I was able to make out what they were saying, I realized that it was a great insult to pat anyone, especially a child on the head. I felt so ashamed that I quickly left my items and went back to my hotel. Still feeling their eyes on my back.

A Whoopsies in Bangkok Thailand

I was out and about look for a newly found snack i approached a little rattly street cat that was quite sketchy and as I beckoned for attention i was stared down upon by many. I forgot In Bangkok you must wait to be noticed or clear your thought to be asked or to have attention brought to you. I was soo embarrassed and ashamed of my self i briskly walked many blocks down the street to find what i was looking for. This time as i walked up to a better well placed cart that seemed to have a more booming business and more of an appealing apatite i waited my turn and waited to be noticed so i would not feel the shame i did once feel just a few moments ago. I did enjoy the amazing new snack.That was my Egregious experience in Bangkok.

Not in South Korea!

My friend and I were on a trip in Seoul South Korea and my friend made the mistake of keeping a tatoo exposed. In South Korea it is not frowned upon to have a tatoo only if you show it is found strange within the locals. We were walking the park surrounding the N Seoul Tower and my friend was wearing a short sleeve T-shirt. We were on our way back to our home and wanted to get something to eat at a Korean BBQ restaraunt. As we entered the sweet and spicy aromas quickly crawled into our nostrils, the wrinkled server quickly came to ask what it was we wanted to eat. I made an attempt to order but as soon as the server looked at my friend's tattoo we were quickly asked to leave.

Bad mistake in Kolkata,India

As I took my journey to Kolkata India I strolled past through a beautiful elegant vender with colorful flowers. Little did  know, I was not suppose to sniff the flowers which smelt like sweet candy if they were out in display,not only that but I was pointing my fire-truck red sandals towards the seller. Everyone was quiet, I heard a couple of gasps which came from a man with a deep raspy voice. The sun is setting the sky had mixtures of purple , orange and pink .I look around and continue on my way through the dark full of Native Indians in the market everyone walked out of my way and faced towards me with a blank stare on their faces looking towards in my direction.As I walked backed to my 5 STAR hotel I went online to check etiquette in India as I read a couple of post I found out it was disrespectful to point my toes at someone and sniff flowers that are in display. I'm embarrassed,and now I'm informed and will take what  I learn on my new adventure in Kolkata.

-Angelica LaBrake

marla garay

Today I went on a stroll at the Sabah beach and I smelled the salt in the water and felt the soft warm sand going through my toes as I kept walking a big round red ball hit me on my head and as I turned I saw a really cute 5 year old wearing a black cap, he smelled of sweat. I then picked up his ball it felt squishy. I patted his head as a sign of its OK, and he looked at me with a mean look on his face and then ran away. I turned around to ask a guide what i did wrong, and he said that it is very disrespectful to touch anyone on the head especially a young boy. I felt really bad that day.

Singapore by Olivia Cash

Today I went to Singapore for some business with a large company. I went in for an interview and sat normally like you sit in a chair. The interviewer gave me an evil eye like I wrote something down wrong on my paper. I thought maybe she didn't like all the work I had done. I wondered why she kept giving me an evil eye. I thought she didn't like me so I left without warning. Later that evening I got a call from the interviewer to tell me to come back. When I got back to her office, she was wondering why I got up and left. She told me it was impolite to not cross your legs at the knees. Right after she told me that I felt like the stupidest and most idiotic person in the world. After the interview, she gave my boss a call telling her what I did and how I passed the interview.

A disatrous ride through Tokyo

After the most amazing day at Tokyo Disneyland, I decided I would grab a bite to eat on the way out. I stopped by one of the snack stands and bought a soft pretzel with cheese and bacon, a maple churro, and a chocolate tipa torta, which is a chocolate filled pastry similar in size and shape to a churro. I walked out of the park, booming with fire works, and headed for the subway while enjoying my food. I hopped on the bullet train and sat in an orange seat in the back. The combination of the roaring wind caused by the high speeds of the trains and the people rambling everywhere around me were so loud, I had to put on some music. I relaxed into the familial position where my legs formed the number four,  blasted my favorite song on my ipod, and popped my fruit flavored gum that replaced the odd after taste of the churro. I was in such a good mood I started to dance to the beat in my seat and I did not care that people could have been watching. But when I looked up to see what stop we were at, several Asian eyes that were slanted down angrily at me, quickly turned away. They looked at me like I was some kind of disgusting insect that should be squashed immediately. Luckily the next stop was my exit. I scurried off the train as fast as the beat of a hummingbird's wings and was dumbfounded when I realized what a complete imbecile I was. Everyone was giving me accusing glares because I totally forgot about Japanese etiquette. they looked at me weird when I was leaving Disneyland because I was impolitely eating while walking. Then when I boarded the train not only was I chewing gum, but I sat like garish man instead of crossing my legs at the knee. I can only imagine how I came across to them; just another rude American.
~Lauren Fleming  Mrs. Geck

Etiquette in Tokyo, Japan

today, i took a train to the Asakusa Temple in Tokyo, Japan. As I was walking in the gate, i stopped to look at the giant hanging paper lantern. It was magnificent! As i was walking around all the shop's I came across this cute looking one with all these delicious looking snacks! So I bought one and as I opened it, I got a phone call from my sister. So without thinking, I picked up her call and continued walking. After a while my mouth got dry so i took a bite of the snack I bought, and when i looked up, everyone was staring at me! Then I remembered reading something on the internet about eating while walking and answering a phone call in public is really rude! Once i noticed what a big mistake I had made and stopped my sister mid-sentence and hung up. I was so embarrassed I headed for the exit apologizing to everyone who was looking at me.

Vietnam Etiquette, Wyatt Logan

When I went to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam I went to the Ben Thah Market. I was walking around untill I could fine something nice to buy. Then I saw a tradtional vietnamese pot that was very cheap. So I reached into my pocket, pulled out the money and tryed to give it to the lady. She looked at me with a deathning stare, then I rembered that in Vietnam that it is polite to give someone something with two hands. I quickly put my other hand on the money, passed to the street vendor and she kindly excepted. I was lucky that the street vendor was so kind and was thoughtful that I was a tourist and that i did not know the proper etiquette, but to some people in Vietnam it is very disrespectful.

Elizabeth Oliver Manners in Mumbai

It was our second day in Mumbai, India and I was still getting used to the way things went here. The restaurant we were eating in was very crowded; we were seated shoulder to shoulder. It was so quiet; you could hear the people as they walked by. I started to notice how quietly the people were eating; it seemed very strange and very abnormal. The night grew on and I eventually finished my meal and as anybody would I set my fork down on my plate, and it landed quite loudly. Immediately after setting down my fork all heads in the restaurant turned and stared directly at me, with a look of disgust on their face. I then remembered about a rule of etiquette I read about before I left. Never let your fork make noise on your plate, it is extremely rude. Then a wave of embarrassment washed over me, I could feel my cheeks growing redder.

Jordan Vietnam Etiquette

Throughout my whole day i was thinking of how to get back to my hotel after my cyclo tour. I didn't have a phone so I could not call a taxi or my friend. I then realized i could just call over a taxi by calling them over with my hands and fingers. I kept on waving to taxi cars and cyclos to come pick me up, but they would not come. It was getting late and I was tired. I was thinking why are the taxi drivers so mean and rude here in Vietnam. My friend was at our hotel and I knew he would start to worry if I didn't come to the hotel soon. I really needed to find a ride quick. I looked in my Hanoi handbook to see the quickest route to walk back. I caught my eye on a part of the handbook that said "Etiquette" and the first rule was "never point to someone and call them over." I thought this section was not important, but I realized I should have learned what was respectful and disrespectful to do in Hanoi, Vietnam. From my mistakes that I made, I had a long walk home.

Molly Lincoln: Indonesia

         In Indonesia it is not proper to point with your finger, they use the thumb instead. Also touching, receiving, or giving someone an object with their left hand is to be avoided. Because the left hand is considered as the hand used for dirty work. Then when you want ones attention you are suppose to wait to be noticed by clearing your throat or clapping your hands. While I was visiting the Pura Lingsar Temple I did not follow any of these rules, so I was being very inappropriate to the others, and later was very embarassed by my own mistakes. The Pura Lingsar Temple is located on the Island of Lombok at the north end of the beach at Ampenan. When visiting this temple that has several tall skinny buildings surrounded by shrubs, you are expected to wear a sash or sarong in order to enter the temple. I forgot to bring a sash or sarong so I purchased one at the vendors located outside the temple. I walked up to the vendor and pointed to the one I wanted with my index finger and the man standing behind the table turned his head is if he didn't notice I there. After a few moments I finally just grabbed the sash with my left hand and gave it to the man and said, "excuse me sir?" He finally made eye contact with me and glared into my eyes like a cat staring off into the dark. I handed him my money with my right hand, and he just looked at it then finally accepted it and watched me walk away in dismay. I was inside the temple and saw the pool of water located in the wektu telu area, sacred to the deity vishnu which smelt of clean fresh water, with burning candles. This pool is home to a family of holy eels who can be lured out of their hiding with hardboiled eggs. I was eager to see the family of eels so I went to the little stand to purchase a hard boiled egg that had a strong stench of old yolk. When I tried to receive it with my left hand that lady would not give it to me. So i stood there with my left hand out waiting to receive the egg I just purchased then caught myself yawning. The lady behind the vendor gasped and turned away to help another customer. I was left standing there alone full of confusion. I finally walked away thinking about what I possibly could have done wrong. Later the day I finally realized about the etiquette in Indonesia that learned about before I left for my trip. I guess it all slipped my mind. I've never felt more embarassed before in my life, and I now regret my actions. I felt dumb like a doorknob. At least now I know what I did so now I easily fix my mistakes. But that will probably be the last time I visit the Pura Lingsar Temple.

Etiquette in Phuket, Thailand

In the huge chinese new year festival going on in downtown Phuket, I could see all the lights hung up twinkling like stars. There were people scattered around everywhere, and you could smell the aroma of food floating through the air. There were kids running around like swarms of bees, and I admired the beautiful costumes different people were wearing. I could hear all the music and the popping of fireworks as I walked down the crowded street. I was looking for a place to eat while walking down the street when I saw a little kid crying on the ground. I went to go help the little boy up because i felt bad for him. I helped him up and I tried to make him stop crying by patting his head. The little boy just looked up at me and started freaking out. He tried to hit me but I backed away from him and he just ran away! It was one of the most embarrassing things ever so I just walked away wondering why he went crazy. Later in the night I realized that Thai people say you aren't supposed to touch a kids head at all because it's the most sacred part of the body, and if you do touch it you just take that sacredness away. Coming from San Diego didn't help me remember this piece of ettiquete because we don't believe that at all in our society. Patting kids on the head is a pretty normal thing to do, but I guess in Thailand it isn't at all. I'll never forget that next time I take a trip to Thailand!

Proper Etiquette in Indonesia

In my travel to Bali, Indonesia I found this one relaxing restaurant right by the crystal clear blue waters. As I walk into this restaurant; called Dragonfly I saw many delicious dishes with silky steam coming off the plates. When I walked up to the front desk, they escorted my to the tables on top of the roof. I asked the lady if I could please sit by the window glass of the ocean. I had heard many good things about this place, and to remember to burp at the end of the meal to show it was delicious and also to show the chief some respect. I had something I still deeply regret to this day! While waiting for my food to come I was watching the yellow-green trees swaying in the wind, and the buttery-yellow sun trying to set in the distance. When my food had came, it smelled so good! All the different wefts of, steamed vegetables, barbequed Balinese ribs, and all different dishes of rice. As I took my first bite it was so mouth watering, like something you have craved for the longest time and had finally tasted it. I was starting to finish up my plate, when everyone was starting to turn around and look at me and my now empty plate that I remembered. I had stupidly forgotten to burp at the end of my meal! I suppose eating at restaurants back in San Diego did not prepare me at all for dining in a restaurant in Bali. After all, if you want respect in Bali or any Indonesian restaurant, you have to show respect to the cook by burping. Otherwise, in San Diego it is considered disrespectful and a rude outburst to other diners.

Silvano Soto Hot Adventure

In the crowded, one kilometer long strip that makes up Chinatown I saw the streets packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants and Chinese medicine stores. I saw the the many colorful lights that guided my to a Thai food shop. I smelled a mixture of spices mixed in with raw fish, noodles, peppers, and the sweet smell of fruits. I heard bargaining and talking, from people who were hoping to purchase something for a lower price. I waited in line perplexed on what I should order. I could hear money clinking as they were exchanged in to the workers hand as I move closer to the front. I finally was first and decided to get a number 10 and a Pepsi I was confused on what the number 10 stand for. I reached in my pocket and searched and found my coins and put them in the workers hand. People were looking at me at me in a bazaar manner but I ignored their piercing gazes. I waited 10 long minutes until I saw a worker bringing my order. The worker warned me it was made with a ghost pepper but I thought it couldn't be any hotter than a Chile pepper, I was wrong. The soup looked like it could be the devil's blood. It smelled like burnt tomatoes. My nose felt hot and became runny but I paid no attention to it. I picked my spoon up and took the first sip. The sensation hit me instantly. It felt like my mouth was full of lava. I panicked thinking I was going to die of this egregious soup. I rushed for my Pepsi. I took the first gulp and felt relieved and took another gulp. People started pointing their feet at me and then I realized you couldn't drink drinks until the end of the meal. This action would be like talking with your mouth full. I went to order another Pepsi but they ignored me so I left with a mouthful of lava. This was an overwhelming and a spicy adventure that shouldn't happen to me.

elephant Island, garett diem

Dear chel-c

i have been in india mumbai for the past 4 days and I have seen many interesting things. the first place I went to visit was the gate way of india which many tourest like to see. Behind the arc of the gateway of india is a dock were u can get on a boat and go to elephant Island which I really loved. elephant island is an amazing place I got to see many cool things. Once I got there I got to go on one one of there tour trans which took your around the island. After that I decided to go into the elephant caves. Oh my gosh I loved the caves so much. I got to see all of these artifacts and pillars and amazing sculptures carved out of rock. I loved how the had a place were they kept real elephants and I loved that there were monkeys running around elephant island. But don't touch the monkeys they are actually very mean. It wasn't a long ride from the gateway of india to elephant island it was about 20 minutes long which wasnt to bad. I loved walking around and talking to people. they are so kind and love to talk. I miss you so much chel-c how are you likeing Japan? Is it what you have always imagimed? OK chel-c I hope to get a letter back from you.
Love Garett