January 14, day 4

Today I went on the optional day to Macau. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with Macau. First of all, it seemed really dirty and I didn't feel totally safe walking around. Secondly, I was disappointed with how European it felt. Not that I mind European, but when I'm in Asia, I want to see Asia! Not Portugal. Although I suppose it's interesting how influenced the island has been it's previous colonization, where in Hong Kong it's not really that noticable. Or maybe it is. I wouldn't know since I haven't travelled anywhere else in Asia. So howabout I say that the colonization was much more noticable in Macau than in Hong Kong. Obviously this is due to the fact that it was a Portuguese colony for much longer than Hong Kong was a British colony. I would have much rather spent the day in Hong Kong, but I guess I wouldn't know that unless I had gone. One thing I did like about Macau? EGG TARTS!!! I think I ate 5 of them. :-D

Caligula was...interesting. I say this because I'm not familiar with the story to begin with and to see a story about Romans performed by Chinese performers speaking in Cantonese was, well, rather confusing. :-P Not to mention, it was so hard to follow when having to read all the subtitles. It's like I didn't have any time to actually WATCH the play. It seemed like it wasn't terrible though, although I don't really know much about theatre to make a true criticism. I LOVED the interprative dance that they did in the lobby beforehand. I don't know if this is a common practice in Hong Kong/China, but I've never seen anything like that in the states. What a novel idea to get the audience set for the story in the lobby! I like it!

Tamara