Hello from China, everyone

[Albert]

Well Hong Kong to be more exact. But i will be in mainland China in a few days. I am over here 2x a year for business and some free time on the weekends. this trip I will be spending The Weeknd in Hong Kong and I intend on visiting the bird market here, which is supposed to be very famous. the way it is described is lots of older men taking their birds out in the morning to show them off, and then I will be visiting the actual bird markets. I will not be bringing any birds back to the United States because of the importation hassles but it will be interesting to see the different species that are available here in Asia. I will be taking lots of pictures and I hope that the authorities will not be confiscating my camera hahaha. I also worry a lot about my little salty. My wife has tons of written instructions on taking care of him, and she has been working on interacting with him for the last two weeks. we have even set up a Skype account so that he can see me when I call them up. that's all for now, pictures and more text in a few days.

[mdg1109]

Wow, I have never been overseas and my main interest would be traveling to see the different bird species of the world. It sounds like Salty is in good hands while you are gone and (sorry) but that is too cute that you are Skyping so he can see you.

Safe travels and post lots of pictures!

[Casper's 2nd best friend]

I'm glad we're not the only ones who skype/facetime our parrot when we go away. :)
Have a great time Albert

[kendrafitz]

Can't wait to see the pics! Have fun in your free time!

[Albert]

Thanks but this is mostly a business trip into the manufacturing armpit of China. you know, the place where everything in the United States Gets manufactured. Certainly not a place I would visit if I had a choice. There are some cultural things to see, but you really have to search them out to find them. and as far as setting up Skype account for my wife and I that was a real challenge because despite the fact that I am an engineer, I am halfway to being a Luddite and my wife is all Luddite. But keeping a close tie with salty is very important to both of us.

Last trip I took here I went to a restaurant that had a cockatoo on a play stand in the lobby of the restaurant. it was very entertaining to hear this cockatoo talk to people in Mandarin (Example , Hello in Mandarin is " Nihow ma"). In fact, sitting here typing, I may start to teach Salty to say hello in several different languages, just as a goof and to mess with peoples minds. well its getting late now and time for me to turn in for the evening. until tomorrow I hope everyone has a pleasant evening or morning or afternoon, whatever time it is now. I'm only 13 hours out of sync with New York.

[Macaw Lover]

Please, even though you are far from home, you might not think that you could still carry a disease on you upon your return so be doubly aware and treat yourself as a 'contaminated' person, especially your shoes.

I would love to experience the market too and hope you enjoy it.

[Albert]

believe me I will be treating myself as if I am a contaminated person well before I return to the States. Shoes are so cheap on the mainland I may even buy a pair to wear to the bird market and then throw them out when I get back to the hotel.

[spiritbird]

Better you than me. I was offered a trip to China with my nephew but I refused. Hope you enjoy the sights there.

[PlaxMacaws]

Wow Al, you're so far away! It must be quite an experience. By the way, how have those Skype sessions with Salty been going? Thanks for checking in.

[mdg1109]

Wow, thank you to Renee for posting about the shoes, I never would have thought about that and good idea about the shoes Albert! I hope you are able to get some downtime and go out and see some of the sights (mostly the birds).

I had to chuckle at the "Armpit" of China comment.

Have a great day!

[Lady]

I am looking forward to the pics you'll post when you come back. I too think Salty is in good hands, I'm sure you'll see for yourself when you phone home :).

Be safe~