I have returned from Hong Kong, having spent five days there.  My reasons for going were two-fold: to get a new visa for China and to get an eye examination and new glasses.  The relaxation was just a side effect.  I went on Sunday, had a lovely dinner in the airport, then applied for a multiple entry, six month visa and went to my hotel in Silvermine Bay.  The next day, Monday, I ventured to Kowloon, and found a Lenscrafters and had an eye exam.  Good news, I do not have glaucoma.  Bad news, I had to pay five thousand hong kong dollars for the exam and two pair of new glasses, one for reading, and one for every day 'going out' use.  Had to wait two days for the visa and three days for the glasses, so stayed in the hotel and had some lovely hikes and dinners, and visited the Big Buddha.


Disappointment....I spent two thousand eight hundred hong kong dollars for what became a single entry, fifteen day visa to china.  I suspect they ripped me off, but until my gf comes back from hunan and calls the embassy, I won't know for sure.  

May is coming to a close soon.  I'll be off to Hong Kong this weekend to do some shopping and get my eyes checked.  I think it is time for some new glasses, and I haven't had an eye check since April, 2007.  My mother and father both had glaucoma, a genetic disease that builds up pressure on the eye, and one brother is diagnosed with it.  He told me that he, despite having treatments, has some blind spots now in his vision.  I had 'an episode' last week, where I felt great pressure in my eyes, and had about five minutes of a feeling that I was straining to look through a tunnel, so I think it is time to get my eyes checked out.
Glaucoma leads to blindness unless treated, so I better get my eyes to Hong Kong to get them checked out before its too late!  Why Hong Kong?  Well, the eye doctors there can speak English!  (One of my students, Natasha, just got her contact lenses there, and recommended the place highly, an American company called LensCrafters, I've used them before.)

I'm off to Hong Kong today, then to come back.  I'm doing a little shopping.  Tomorrow will find me discussing and negotiating.
Uncertainty is always so much fun!


However, I'm hopeful.