by TravelTillIDrop | Mar 27, 2013 | live in düsseldorf, study abroad
細細個上課曾經學過中國是禮儀之邦，但有時到外國生活時，發現一些外國人習以為常的舉止，很微不足道，但我們在香港/中國就是沒有這些習慣。可是假如我們每人也只是付出多一點點，身邊的人及社會的風氣也會好得多！沒有甚麼大想頭，只想從自己開始，在日常生活中作小小的改變。
1. 芝麻開門
這是我在英國時發現的，在倫敦生活的人，雖然經常也非常繁忙，但開門後永遠也會回頭看看有沒有人也要進來，只要看見有人走過來，便會開著門等一會，直到那個人來到。只是等幾秒，但是你會感受社會的氣氛更和諧！
2. 說聲謝謝
在澳洲的時候，很多澳洲人下巴士的時候也會跟司機大聲說聲謝謝！我想因為彼此尊重大家，雖然大家也有付巴士錢，很多人也會覺得司機服務大家是理多當然，但其實大家也可以有一個感恩的心，說聲謝謝有多難？（我在澳洲也有說的，有時候司機還會跟我說‘晚安’，但是在香港還是不敢，好像感到司機叔叔會當我是傻傻的一樣！）
3. 不好意思
假如你曾經在繁忙時間在香港乘地鐵，可能你也會知道甚麼叫人山人海，明明已沒有空位，還是會有人勉強擠進車廂中。英國的tube (metro)也有擠人的時候，很多時候，假如當地人看見沒有空位讓他們上車，他們就會再等下一班。試過一次有個男士擠了進來，但他還是會跟車上的人說聲‘對不起，我要趕飛機。真的不好意思！’對於在香港迫慣的我，心想：其實也不算太迫，還沒有人貼人的地步，加上他的道歉也真的頗有誠意，雖然有點迫，但也情有可原吧！
4. 大力士
經常自己一個出國的beanie絕對明白無咁大力就唔好拎咁多行李既道理，亦知道自己既行李應該要自己負責，所以從來也唔會主動邀請素未謀面的陌生人幫忙搬行李上落樓梯。但在處處都是樓梯的英倫敦地鐵站，每當我辛辛苦苦’deng’個行李上落樓梯時，總會有仗義之士出手協助！令我難忘的是試過遇到是一位女士主動問我是否需要幫助！自此beanie也主動留意身邊的人，本著幫得就幫的想法！
When I was small, I learned at school that Chinese is a nationality with manner and politeness. Yet sometimes, I find some manners in the western culture that we don’t possess in Hong Kong or China. Imagine if every one of us just do a tiny bit more, the culture in the society may become so much better! I don’t aim to change the whole world, but just want to adjust a bit in my daily life and makes our world a better place to live!
1. Hold the door
In London, even though people are quite busy, whenever people are walking into shopping centre or restaurant, they will look back after the walk pass the door. They will check if anyone is coming to the same direction. If yes, people will hold the door until the person arrives. It is just a few seconds, but you can feel people are actually connecting with each other!
2. ‘THANK YOU!’
When I was in Sydney, many people will shout ‘Thank you’ to the bus driver when they get off the bus! I think this is because people are respecting and feeling grateful for what the others are doing for them. It’s not difficult to say these 2 words, so why not? (I did the same when I was in Australia, sometimes the bus driver would reply ‘Have a good evening!’ or ‘You are welcome!’ But when I went back to Hong Kong, I didn’t really dare to do it, I worry the bus drivers will think I am insane!)
3. Sorrrrrry! 🙁
If you ever tried to take the MTR (metro) during super-peak hours in Hong Kong, you will truly understand the definition of the word ‘crowd’. It is obvious that there is no more space in the train, but people will still push and try to squeeze in the train. In London, when people realize there is not much space in the tube (metro), they will usually wait for the next one. I once experienced it once when a man was trying to squeeze in with his luggage. But after he got on, he apologized, ‘Sorry, I am rushing for my flight. I am really sorry for it.’ Even though it’s a bit crowded according to the London standard, I feel fine about it. At least he got a reason and he apologized for that sincerely.
4. Hercules!
As I always go abroad by myself alone, I totally understand these 2 theories:
i) If you couldn’t handle your heavy suitcase, bring less!
ii) No one has the responsibility to help you with your suitcase, except yourself!
So I will never invite strangers to help me with my luggage proactively even when I physically look tiny in westerners’ eyes and I always carry super huge suitcase. Yet, whenever I am ‘working out’ by transporting my suitcase around the full-of-stairs-London-tube-stations, there are always some nice Londoners asking me if I need any help! I felt even more grateful when one of them that helped me was actually a lady! Although I am not a Hercules, I will now pay attention to the people around me and offer a helping hand whenever I see someone is in need.
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其他相關文章 Other related articles: 10 things to truly feel Hong Kong as a traveler, not a tourist! , 20 樣未去歐洲前不知道的事 20 things I never know before going to Europe
by TravelTillIDrop | Mar 25, 2013 | travelog
另外一個被城牆重重包圍的小鎮，紅紅的小屋，加上蔚藍色的天空及海景，杜布羅夫尼克讓您好像去了宮崎駿的童話世界一樣！走上城牆繞著走一圈，把全個杜布羅夫尼克城以全方位360度看得清清楚楚！遇上好天氣，真的沒有一刻想把相機放下來！
Another city surrounded by the city wall! In addition to the little red house, the blue sky and sea view of Dubrovnik makes you feel like entering a world of fairytale! Go up to the city wall and walk around, see the historical city from all angles! With the amazing weather, you just can’t find any moment to leave your camera behind!
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其他相關旅遊資訊 Other related travel information：Visit Croatia – Dubrovnik
其他相關文章 Other related articles: 紐倫堡 – 德國古樸風味小城 Nürnberg – a German city full of history , Dub star: Croatia’s beautiful Dalmatian Coast (mirror.co.uk)
by TravelTillIDrop | Mar 21, 2013 | hong kong my home
(It’s too long to include both Chinese & English in this post, just keep it as a English one for the time being!)
A good inspiration from the Big-Blog-Exchange: asking bloggers to share traditions or landmarks that travelers shouldn’t miss when visiting my home-country – Hong Kong (it’s not a country officially, but…anyway!), I come up with this post! Other than those typical things every one already knows: seeing Victoria Harbour, shopping everywhere and trying authentic Dim Sum, my recommendations are as follows:
1. Feel the crowd!
2. You are sure you like Chinese/Hong Kong food?
3. Trotter Trotter – Happy Valley racecourse!
4. Pink dolphin & fishing village!
5. Beaches Beaches!
6. Look at the green and smell the freshness!
7. Villain hitting
8. Add a Cantonese finish particle to finish off your sentence ‘la’!
9. Seek for a Never-ending-night!
10. Act FAST!
and the reasons behind are…
1. Feel the crowd!
If you think big cities like New York or London are busy and crowded, you really need to re-define these 2 words in Hong Kong! Just squeeze yourself in Mongkok, which has the highest population density in the world, with 130,000 people per square km, or take the MTR (metro) at around 8.30am, then you will understand what it means to feel the crowd!
2. Are you sure you like Chinese/Hong Kong food?
If you happen to be my foreign friends visiting Hong Kong, I am not sure whether it is lucky or unlucky for you, but I will definitely try to make you eat weird food like chicken feet (it’s a dim sum dish!) or chicken testicle (it’s something some people,mostly men, eat during Hot Pot!)! I will be even more proud of you if you are also eating snake’s soup!
3. Trotter Trotter – Happy Valley racecourse!
A tradition after being a British Colony, visiting the Happy Valley racecourse on a Wednesday evening will make you feel like you enter another world in Hong Kong. Surrounded by mostly westerners with beers and hot dogs in their hands, perhaps you will forget you are in Hong Kong for a second! If you want to feel the real local gambling atmosphere, then better go to the ShaTin racecourse during the weekend!
4. Pink dolphin & traditional fishing village!
Dolphins may not sound very special to you, but what about a pink one? The pink dolphin is an endangered species which is also called the ‘Chinese White Dolphins’. I don’t want to recommend those dolphin-watching tours to you because it’s not good for the dolphins, but you can go to Tai O, where the locals can take you to the sea on a small boat, and then you may have a chance to catch a glimpse of them! It’s cheap and it also gives you another reason to visit one of the remaining traditional fishing villages you can find in Hong Kong!
5. Beaches Beaches!
Thought that Hong Kong is only full of skyscrapers? Being a city along the coastline, there are at least 40 beaches around the island for you to chill and relax!
6. Look at the green and smell the freshness!
Other than beach, three quarters of Hong Kong are actually covered by countryside! (I think that makes more sense why we need skyscrapers!) Take a day or two to the New Territories or some outlying islands: camping in Tai Long Wan for a night or a little day trip to Lamma Island will be my recommendations! If you like monkeys, you can also visit Monkey hill! Be careful of your food/plastic bags, they are so smart and they love to steal things from you!
7. Villain hitting!
If you want to curse someone you dislike, we can help you with our tradition! Just go to ‘Goose-neck Bridge’ in Causeway Bay, our professional ladies will help you to ‘beat’ him/her up! It is considered the best way to get it off your chest!
8. Add a Cantonese finish particle to finish off your sentence ‘la’!
Influenced by the way we speak Cantonese, many Hong Kong people like to finish their sentence in other languages with expression like ‘la’, ‘wor’, ‘ah’, ‘ga’, ‘ma’…etc. So remember to do the same ‘ah’!
9. Seek for a never-ending-night!
When I live in London, many of my friends told me they love London because there is always something to do! Then I will always invite them to visit Hong Kong! If you want a restaurant to eat anytime of the day, under whatever weather condition, we have Tsui Wah Restaurant! If you want to party all night, visit LKF (Lan Kwai Fong, a drinking area with lots of bars, pubs, clubs…etc.)! If you just want to chill and chat while enjoying the Victoria Harbour, a secret place I will recommend is the rooftop of IFC (International Financial Centre) or the Star Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui!
LKF (Lan Kwai Fong, a must-go if you want to party!)
View from Star Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui
10. Act FAST!
Living in such a massive and busy city, I have to confess that Hong Kong people are pretty impatient. If you just started deciding what you want to order when you reach the cashier at McDonalds, please forgive the person behind you for showing his/her impatience. Also before you get to the machine to tab your octopus card (a card we can use to pay the transportation and food in Hong Kong) in MTR (metro)/bus, make sure you already have the card in your hand! We can’t bother to wait!
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Other related articles: 50 reasons Hong Kong is the world’s greatest city , 20 things I never know before going to Europe
by TravelTillIDrop | Mar 21, 2013 | travelog
德國的漢堡、法蘭克福、慕尼黑、柏林等大城常常也聽過，位於德國東面的紐倫堡，你又有沒有去過？紐倫堡最特別的地方就是那長約五公里、圍繞整個小城的中世紀城牆。由於充滿德國風味，二次世界大戰期間，德國納粹政府也在那兒舉行大型慶典，令整個城市充滿了德國及歷史色彩。
When we talk about Germany, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin…etc. some of the big cities that probably first come into your mind, but have you ever been to a city called Nürnberg? Situated in east part of Germany, the most interesting thing in this city is the 5km-city-wall from medieval period that still surround the whole city! As a city full of German characteristics, during WWII, the nazi party also held some big events here, leaving more historical trace in this city!
[由於相機在來紐約堡前已跌爛了，所以相片有點鬆郁矇。My camera was broken before I arrived Nürnberg, so the photos are a bit blurry on one side, sorry!]
聖母教堂 Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche in German)
美之泉 Schoner Brrunnen – 據說轉動金環三次，願望將會成真！There are rumors that if you turn the gold ring for 3 times, your dreams will come true!
聖羅倫斯大教堂 St. Laurence Kirche – 始建於1225年的教堂 started to build in 1225!
納粹黨未完成的體育場 the unfinished stadium by the Nazi!
![[不知道怎樣翻譯這個] Documentation Centre Party Rally Grounds (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände)](https://www.traveltillidrop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/10.jpg)
[不知道怎樣翻譯這個] Documentation Centre Party Rally Grounds at the outskirt of the city (Dokumentationszentrum Reichsparteitagsgelände)
河畔的聖靈醫院 Hospital of the Holy Spirit by the riverside (Heilig-Geist-Spital)
山頂的皇帝堡 Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg)!
傳統的德國建築 the traditional german architecture!
非常好吃的紐倫堡香腸 Famous Nuernberger!
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其他相關旅遊資訊 Other related travel information：City of Nuremberg
其他相關文章 Other related article: 芬蘭 – 白色的童話國 FINLAND – the white fairyland
by TravelTillIDrop | Mar 19, 2013 | live in düsseldorf, study abroad, travel tips
從小已非常渴望可以去旅行，可是家境實在不算太好！眼看身邊的同學每年放假也會去旅行，心裡總是戚戚然！爸爸媽媽跟我一起旅行的次數少之有少，而老實說，有很多很多我去過的地方他們也從未去過〔也可以說是因為他們不像我有這麼多便宜遊世界的機會。〕但無論怎也好，我也非常感激他們放手讓我去衝、去闖、去看、去認識這個花花世界！下列是幾個曾經助我踏出香港的好途徑！
I always love traveling abroad since I was very young. Yet I am not coming from a rich family. Unlike some of my classmates who travel abroad every year with their families, my parents and I seldom travel together. To be honest, they’ve been to places way less than I do (because they can’t get the same opportunities like me). Nevertheless, I am grateful that they let me go and see the world. These are some of the ways how I manage to get myself away from Hong Kong without spending too much mommy’s money!
1. 學校的交流團 Exchange tour by secondary school/university
第一次自己離開香港是13歲。剛好學校被市政府邀請作中秋節表演，因而有機會去美國加洲的矽谷！當時大概去了十天左右，當中除了遊覽不同的旅遊景點外，還到了當地的中學上了一星期的課，還跟當地的Host Family一起住！還記得就是因為時差的關係，渡過了一生最長的生日！出發那天正是我的生日，乘了十多小時的飛機後，到達美國還是生日天的下午！到大學時亦看見不同部門或學會也有不同形式的交流團，有興趣也可以報名參加。
The first time I traveled alone was when I was 13 years old. My secondary school was invited to go to the United States (Silicon Valley, California) to perform in the Moon Festival. We went there for around 10 days, in which we spent a week studying in the local school, lived with the host family and went to all those touristic places. I still remember I also had my longest birthday ever! We departed on my birthday, and when we arrive after 10+ hours, it’s still the afternoon of my birthday! I notice that my university also arranged different exchange tours as well, so it can be your chance!
2. 制服團體或青少年組織的交流團 Exchange tour by uniformed groups*/youth organizations
中學時一直在校外參加制服團體，直至大學！每年暑假，這些團體經常也會舉辦前往不同地方的交流團！由於很多也有資助，所以團費非常便宜。而且由於年每也舉辦，主辦單位也經驗充足！我也曾經到過4個不同的地方：內蒙古、上海、長江三峽及澳洲！
I was a member of a uniformed group in Hong Kong when I was younger. During summer time, these uniformed groups or some other youth organizations always organize different exchange tours. Many of these tours are subsidized, so they are relatively a lot cheaper. Since they are organizing these kinds of tours almost every year, they are experienced in the arrangement as well. I’ve been to 4 different trips with these organizations: Inner Mongolia, Shanghai and Yangtsz River in China and Australia.
上海世博 Shanghai during World Expo!
*Uniformed groups are those youth organizations aimed to provide disciplinary and expedition training like Scouts, Cadet Force, Red Cross, and so on.
3. 政府附屬組織的交流計劃 Exchange program by government affiliates
每年民政事務局及青年事務委員會也會接受不同的民間組織推薦，挑選一批年青人參與國際青年交流計劃。透過這個交流計劃，青年將有機會免費到訪以下其中一個國家：英國、受爾蘭、日本及新加玻！而當地地的青年也會來到香港進行交流。而我亦有幸前往新加玻一星期，並且認識了一班非常要好的新加玻朋友！
Each year, the Home Affairs Bureau and Commission of Youth on Hong Kong select some young people recommended by different associations and schools in Hong Kong to participate the International Youth Exchange Program (IYEP). The program gives delegate opportunity to go on an exchange tour for free to one of these countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan and Singapore. Young people from the respective countries will come to Hong Kong as an exchange as well! I was lucky enough to get the chance to go to Singapore for a week in which I met some lifelong Singaporean friends!
新加坡的朋友在迎接我們 Welcome by our Singaporean friends!
4. 義工計劃 Volunteer Program
我曾經在土耳其的一所語言學校當了6個星期的義工。期間他們提供了免費的住宿，因而為旅程節省了不少開支！而我亦有很多不同的機會跟當地人相處、生活，了解他們的文化！我也深信了解當地人的生活及文化才是旅行的真正意義！這樣我才會得到一般遊客看不到的東西，而這些東西才是當地人的最真的一面！我的host曾經教我烹調一些土耳其的家常便飯及一起跳肚皮舞！
I volunteered in an English language school in Turkey. During my 6 weeks there, I got a chance to live with some locals and interact with them. I didn’t have to pay for my accommodation, which usually is the biggest spending for my trips abroad. I enjoyed the experience a lot because I believe having the chance to talk with the locals is giving me the most out of my trip! That’s how I can really learn about the local culture there and know some secrets that normal tourists won’t know at all! I learnt to cook some Turkish food and belly dance from my host!
邊當義工邊感受土耳其文化 learning the Turkish culture and contributing to the Turkish society!
5. 交換生 Exchange student
去丹麥當交換生一個學期給了我探索北歐的機會！這也是我第一次離開香港一段”長”時間，讓我嘗試獨立生活，無人能依靠的滋味！很多大學也有很多不同的交換生計劃讓同學報名，而很多時候，大學也會給你一些津貼，讓你不用過分擔心經濟問題！
Having the chance to study in Denmark for 1 semester has given me the chance to explore the Nordic world. It’s the first time I lived alone and leave my home for such a ‘long’ time but I think it’s worth it! Many universities offer different exchange students program for their students (like Erasmus in Europe) and if you apply for it, you may even get some subsidies for your time abroad.
認識北歐的文化 get to know the Nordics!
6. 海外實習 Overseas internship
作為一個學生，有其甚麼還會比一邊到海外實習工作，一邊遊歷世界更吸引？到澳洲悉尼作實習生不但給予我實習的機會，更讓我能在假日探索澳洲的其他城市！雖然實習是是無薪金的，但學校卻提供了足夠的資助讓我能在那邊生活！
As a student, what else can be better than getting some internship experience and enjoying another culture at the same time? Going to Sydney(Australia) for a summer internship allowed me to discover other cities during my weekend on top of my internship experience! Even though the internship was not paid, I got subsidies from my university to cover my day-to-day cost!
在充滿活力的澳洲工作 working in the vivid Sydney!
7. 國際研討會 International conferences
一些國際學生組織如AIESEC及Model United Nations也會不定時舉辦不同的國際研討會讓會員參加，有時有些院校也會提供資助讓該校的學生到外地參加研討會。這是一個結識來自五湖四海的朋友的好機會，而且也能一同探討一些青年人關心的議題！正因為這些研討會，我也有機會第一次踏足了意大利、希獵及台灣！
There are some international student organizations like AIESEC and Model United Nations. These youth organizations hold international conferences from time to time, and sometimes they have subsidies as well. It’s actually a good way to meet people from other countries and learn something new together! This is how I got a chance to go to Italy, Greece and Taiwan! Sounds cool, right?
邊學邊走 learning and traveling!
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其他相關機會 Other related opportunity: EF US Study Tour 美國遊學計劃 , Engliver City in Turkey
其他相關文章 Other related article: 5個海外留學慳錢秘笈 5 tips to save money when studying abroad
