Wynn-ing Macau and Mid Autumn Dragons.

Last week was the mid-autumn lantern festival. Me and Elliott went to Causeway Bay and experienced Chinese culture first hand. We saw beautifully crafted paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Intricate light patterns were hung from tree to tree, thousands of ornaments and traditional red good luck charms strung around the park. Art students stood proudly in front of their paper creations, hundreds of people eating cotton candy and buying souvenirs for their wide-eyed children. We heard of a 70 foot dragon parade somewhere not too far away, and we followed the bright signs and laughter along the side streets of the city until we found somewhere to stand on our tip-toes to watch the eagerly awaited performance. Handing out hefty glasses of red wine for five bucks a pop, we were free to stroll wherever we pleased as long as we gave a 30 dollar deposit for the wine glass. We then saw a gigantic dragon made out of clay. They had stuck over 7,000 incense sticks all along the body, and there were over a hundred strong men supporting it. Whenever they would spin the head or the tail around in some form of strange dance routine, the incense sticks would flare up and they would duck in fear of getting burned (many of them did). It's sad to think that the Chinese have such culture, and that us Canadians only have Canada day (which never is that great in the first place). They all celebrate things we find strange, but they celebrate so strongly and in such unison that a foreigner cannot help but be slightly jealous. No one judges, no one compares one another - these festivals and celebrations are enjoyed as one group.

Following these festivities was a national holiday. What better way to spend it than spending the day in Macau? We departed from Sheung Wan fairly late in the afternoon, but since the ferry only takes one hour, we weren't in much of a hurry. We bought our tickets for 20 dollars, and we soon arrived in the Vegas of Asia. I had never been to any type of casino, let alone a place with so many of them tucked onto one tiny island, so I was extremely overwhelmed. Wondering how we were going to get to the main strip, we soon realized that this would be no issue whatsoever; every casino wants your company. Lined up was dozens of free casino shuttles, begging us to come aboard and spend our money at their establishment. What casino did we want to lose money to? Eventually we decided on the Wynn, apparently a sister to the Wynn Las Vegas, and one of the glitziest casinos in Macau. Once arrived, I was flabbergasted by the copious amounts of gold and glamor these places had to offer. Replicas of castles ornate with lush burgundy carpets, sky-high ceilings and beautiful chandeliers grazing thick, creamy drapes. This place was gigantic. Elliott soon informed me about casino tricks - they serve you free alcohol on the slots (because they make most of their money from those devil machines). They don't serve you alcohol in the playing areas where you might possibly make some cash, like the poker tables. These people will do anything to make you stay in their casino, so help them we might choose to wander somewhere else and spend money there. Free tea, free sandwiches, catering available 24/7, no windows anywhere so you completely lose track of where you are and what budget you might of came with. It reminded me of a Disney World for adults. I played a slot machine and won three times as much as I put in (even though we lost it back to the casino later on). We played a couple machines and then decided that we didn't want to eat in the hotel, and that we were going to take a stroll along the beautiful streets of Macau. Let me tell you, Macau is absolutely phenomenal. It is the most beautiful mix of Portuguese architecture with Chinese influence. The buildings are all such attractive shades of pastel yellows, greens, pinks, with gorgeous white trimming. The chapels are out of this world. It felt like we were in an Easter colored dream, on a very strange egg hunt. It was a mix of Switzerland, Parisian side streets, and Chinese food stalls.The smell of traditional Portuguese egg tarts, the old Portuguese couples holding hands and devouring them. We then went to a much needed Portuguese dinner. Sharing a bottle of wine, Elliott had the rack of lamb and I had the sole topped with a seafood bake. Amazing! We then headed back to the Wynn, after poking our heads into other competitors (there was no contest - the Wynn was the place to go). Elliott went to play poker, and I went to enjoy the free wine at the slots (I only pretended to play so they would give me the free wine, hehe). After a couple hours, we realize that we had lost much money and that we should think about heading home for the night, since the ferry runs 24/7. We couldn't take out any more money, as my bank account limit had been reached for the day. Oh shit. I obviously start to freak out, not wanting to sleep on the streets of glitzy Macau. Elliott's mom, thankfully, helped us pay for a hotel room in the Wynn by phoning the hotel. Thank God! We get our room keys and realize that we are staying in the fanciest hotel room in the fanciest hotel on the whole island. I cannot even explain how fantastic this room was. I started crying when I saw it, and immediately started jumping on the bed with the complimentary silk bathrobe. We had the BEST BED I HAVE EVER SLEPT IN. They are so good that they even sell them in the hotel lobby. Everything was electronic, everything was gold, everything was too much to ever ask for. I didn't want to leave the next morning. I was so upset. We then had lunch in the hotel lobby (I had the salade nicoise and elliott had the house club) and we departed the island of broken dreams.

Things in Hong Kong are quite slow. It's been quiet, and I haven't worked since last week. I have a job on Thursday, but that's all that I know of. I dyed my hair brown after the agency requested that I got it done. I was going to go to Aveda, but they told me they knew someone who was amazing and that didn't cost as much. After four hours of trying different shades, they guy charged me a whopping 300 bucks for something I could have done myself. I was complaining, but now I understand what he was doing. he had put semi-permanent brown over my white hair, and now it's getting more beautiful every time I wash it. Right now it's a beautiful dark blonde/light brown shade, with highlights somehow...I approve! It will also just keep getting lighter the more I wash it. Me and Elliott have been making friends and going out too much. I keep hurting myself - last week I fell down and cut my head open and it was bleeding all over the place (I am fine!!!). Then another night I graciously fell on my knees, and then my elbows, and then my chin (I love the agency's support on this one; ''oh my god....is it on your face??'' ''no there is no obvious marks, but thanks, I'm fine!'').