[VLOG#3] Day Two in Hong Kong

Iona

Year of the Dog

Kelby

Today was our first full day in Hong Kong, which is also the day of the Chinese New Year.

Elizabeth, Iona and I woke up this morning at four as we are all getting acclimated to the time change. We looked out at the city in the night and the view gave us a whole new perspective of the city. The city is very different compared to our American cities. I tend to describe Hong Kong as a hybrid between New York and Miami, for the entire city is bursting with life, light and opportunity (New York), while the architecture and weather is that of Miami.

[VLOG#2] Day One in Hong Kong

Iona

And so it begins ...

Iona

And we’re off! The sisterhood of the travelling silk pajamas (our group name) had a very early rise on this Valentine’s day; everyone excited to see what the next 63 days will hold. The slight detour to get to the airport didn’t distract any one of us from meeting at the airport for 4am this morning. Before heading into the airport via security, we said goodbye to our parents, and Mrs. Viz and Andy were also sweet enough to send us off.

[VLOG#1] Boston to Hong Kong

Iona

[FIRST POST of 2018 Exchange] Exchange Group En Route to Hong Kong!

Mr Viz (Editor)

We're happy to report that the 2018 D-S China Exchange Group is en route to Hong Kong as we speak (via Toronto)! It was one of the earliest departures ever, with a 4am check-in.  But even with the sleep deprivation, the excitement was palpable ... that indescribable mixture of emotions of the delegation, wondering what adventures lay before them in China and at Hangzhou High School in particular, and the emotions of their parents, who were to be without their kids for 8 whole weeks.  Overlaid upon that the feeling of slight apprehension, this is what makes travel, especially the international kind, so amazingly wonderful!

This year's Exchange group, consisting of Kelby, Elizabeth, Iona and teacher Rebecca Waterman, has already named themselves The Sisterhood of the Traveling Silk Pajamas and has promised to keep us up to date with all their adventures through timely postings.  Follow this blog to get automatic updates and watch for a Twitter account shortly.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Silk Pajamas, with Ms Viz

This departure was especially emotional for my wife (Ms. Viz) and myself, marking the last sendoff with her at the reins of the Exchange program.  It has been such an awesome experience for both of us; I'm sure she'll post her own blog entry soon.  All I can personally say (and speaking as an ex-Newton School Committee person, well aware of what their program has meant to Newton) is that this program has been an incredible asset for Dover-Sherborn and Hangzhou for the last 16 years.  May it continue to flourish next year and well into the future, as its mission and purpose become increasingly more vital and meaningful.