Issue 1 of IBC Newsletter

I would like to present to all of you, IBC's first newsletter, which could be found at: http://kaykays.com/stuff/newsletter/2008/issue01.pdf

I am hoping to release these newsletters on a quarterly basis, kind of a recap on what's happening in IBC forums and blog.

Ideas and/or contribution to newsletter welcome, contact me via IBC Forum.

Seriously now...

I was racking my head to remember strange things I came across in HK. The one thing that hit me was the first day I arrived in HK, after getting off the airport bus to meet my aunt, I see a couple walking their dog, and the dog had booties on all four paws! I know they are obsessed with dogs, but that was so wierd, my hubby was commenting on how the hell they could get the booties on the dog's paws in the first place. My aunt was saying that a firedogs gets his own boots in case the dogs burnt their paws, that's understandable, but what I saw was just ridiculous. It's the kind of thing that you would have to look twice and fall over laughing afterward.

I was in Shatin Plaza and went by the pet store and I saw what I thought was a baby carriage, but it was for dogs, and guess what? I did see someone pushing a "dog" carriage with their little darling doggy in it! My last trip to HK saw a lot more dogs in handbags. Really now, dogs should be allowed to walk around on their own, not carried.

Chinese New Year 2008 - Chinese Dragon Dancing Show

Found this on Good World's window (Georges St, Dublin).

You know you are in Hong Kong when...

• You get into a crowded lift and smell mothballs everywhere.

• People opening doors for themselves and let it close in your face instead of holding it open.

• You get followed and pestered by store staff with patronising English “Welcome to [insert store name], how may we help you, sir/missy?” and smirking.

• Wondering where all those pesky store staff disappeared to when you really want one.

• All people who eat fast food are skinny according to their ads (KFC, Mc Donald’s).

• Food is so cheap, it’s the price of a cup of coffee over here for a meal for two at lunch time.

• You see poor ol’ grannys pushing the carts picking up cardboards and newspapers just to make a few bucks.

• Markets and shopping plazas are unbelievably clean, there are staff cleaning everything from door handles, air-con systems, lights, etc.

• January sales are between 50% and 90/95% off, and additional purchases get more money off, and on top of that, you can use the money off voucher, and in conjunction with a loyalty card, more discount.

• First thing in the morning, all you want is a custard tart or “Gei Mei” bun from the local bakery.

• Mini-bus drivers only know stop and goes really fast on the roads, regardless of the speedometer display to the passengers (digital display, it beeps when the driver goes over the speed limit).

• Pestered by Indians to make you a shirt/suit (Golden Mile, who would have thunk, ay!)

• Huge LV stores on both sides of the harbour (and another being built), that’s just ludicrous!

• You can “beep” yourself on any public transport and buy things from shops, let’s hear it for the Octopus Smartcard, huzzah!

• Everyone walks in a snail’s pace, and you can’t seem to walk around them, worse than a maze, even in the city itself.

• You are surround by cheap electronics, it’s like mini-IT-Direct/Komplett all around the place.

• You buy electronics, the price may not be all that different to Ireland (apart from Apple), but there are lots of freebies that come with them. Say a camera, bigger mem card, carry case, etc.

• People wear flip-flops even when they are “frozen”.

• You see Japanese sushi and noodle restaurants everywhere.

• Stand and wait for your ticket number to be called out for dinner or Dim Sum.

• Mark all those bits of paper for Dim Sum, only problem is, it’s all in Chinese.

• Everything on the menu in any diner, restaurant has to be read out to me, as I don’t understand Chinese.

You know you still miss home when:

• You check up the list of Starbucks store locations in Hong Kong.

• Get internet access as soon as possible, when one is out and about (yes, I miss my internet access at home).

Ok, the latter list is miniscule, but at least there are some! Hong Kong is still cool place to visit.

[NEWS]Migrants Centre criticises new Immigration Bill

The government is tightening the laws on immigration and asylum. The proposed immigration bill allows authorities to allow access of foreign nationals and even track their where abouts around Ireland.

From the Indo's breaking news:

The Migrants Right Centre has criticised the proposed new Immigration Bill published by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan today.

The bill is aimed at tightening Ireland's immigration laws and making it easier for the authorities to deport illegal immigrants.

Siobhan O'Donoghue, the director of the Migrants Rights Centre, says the proposed legislation is seriously flaws and lacks fairness, transparency and due process.

She says major changes in the bill are needed in order to ensure that immigration reform is done correctly.

Chinese New Year 2008 Gala Evening

Tickets: €20 and €15 ( see Seating Plan)

Lyrics and dialogue with Chinese and simplified English subtitles (More Information)

Running Time: Approx. 2 hrs 30 mins with an intermission
Audiences are strongly advised to arrive punctually
Latecomers will only be admitted until a suitable break in the programme

Tickets available from 7th Jan onwards
Half price tickets available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security
Assistance (CSSA) recipients (Limited tickets for students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come-first-served basis)
Patrons could enjoy only one of the above discounts for each purchase, please inform the box office staff at the time of purchase

Programme Enquiries：087-2443028
Ticketing Enquiries & Reservations：0872580839 & 0872443028 &0863428150

Postal address for Cheque payment: 88The Green Woodbrook Glen Bray Co. Wicklow
Programmes are subject to change with announcements by Chinese Irish Cultural Academy as final
The contents of this programme do not represent the views of Chinese Irish Cultural Academy

Mr. Wu Hua, a national famous singer in Jiangsu Nanjing who will be our MC and singer for the show

After all that...

Well, I have never been so mortified in my life! Since I just got my new HK ID card, I decided to use it on my trip to HK recently. That was fine. It's when I was leaving when I sort of made a roll-your-eyes-knowing-you-are-from-overseas boo-boo. I did not understand "boarding card" in Catonese. I was so use to hearing "boarding card" in English, and normally I have it in my passport when I had it to immigration. There was no fingerprinting or putting card through the machine (come to think of it, I did not did that either when I was giong into HK, had to hand it to the officer). Anyhoo, he laughed and waved me through, and me looking bright red. Especially seeing my hubby standing there waiting for me grinning for getting through immigration before me. I rang my aunt to let her know I got though ok and recounted what happened at immigration. She really laughed out loud. On hind sight, it is sort of amusing. Well, I've forgotten what boarding card in Cantonese again.

Just typical

Heading off to Hong Kong today, it's nice and sunny and in its mid-20s in Hong Kong today. Sounds good so far (and going to HK is good, yes, I know that), but we will be greeted by rain and temperatures in the mid-teens. The HK government weather site even had a wooly jumper and says "it will be cold". At least it won't be as cold as here. Wahoo... HK here we come! It's like deja-vous, 'cause my hubby and I were in HK this time last year as part of our dropping-over-and-say-hi-to-relatives before heading on to our honeymoon.

Dublin's Chinese New Year 2008

(Thanks, Heilong)

Unfortunately I will be away in Hong Kong from the 12th for 2 weeks, so I will miss the event. If people are going, and are taking pics and/or videos, is it possible for you to post them in forum?

If you want to write about the event, and you want it in the IBC blog, let me know, I will give you access, or if you have access and have forgotten, let me know.

While I am away, I will try to check my email as often as I can. Oh, and Happy new year 2008, everybody!

Chat about it more in the IBC forum...

China's Plastic Bag ban this summer

In June, China will ban shops from handing out free plastic bags, especially the ultra-thin bags.

Shops that violated the new rules could be fined or have their goods confiscated, it said.

(From BBC) Read More...

2 hand baggage minimum back in some UK airports

UK Department for Transport has approved the re-introduction of allowing passengers to have two carry-ons to some UK airports from 7th Jan 2008.

• London Heathrow
• London City
• Aberdeen
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Manchester
• Newcastle

Amongst the airlines that allow 2 pieces of hand-carry are British Airways and Cathy Pacific.

• British Airways
• Cathy Pacific

(You may need to check airlines on their hand-carry policies.)

References:

• BAA