We are now staying with my cousin Les and his wife Alecsandra (Ale) in Hong Kong. Les works as an engineering reprepresentative for Rolls Royce jet engines, and has been posted here for the last two and a half years. The last time I saw him was in July 2004 when he was living outside of Lisbon, Portugal. His sons Thomas, 6, and Martin, 5, are very energetic and not at all shy. They have obviously both grown and changed a lot in the last three years. When I last saw them Thomas spoke Portugese and Martin was not speaking at all; now they both speak English fluently (and quite a lot I might add). Alecsandra really enjoys the fact that the Green family includes British, Portugese, Brazilian, Spanish, and Canadians.
Today was Julia's birthday and she requested we go shopping. So Ale, Julia and I headed first to "Ladies Market" so they could look for shoes and handbags. Fortunately for Julia Ale is an expert at bargaining in Hong Kong markets. It is actually quite amusing to watch, because it is all quite dramatic. The vendor will first give a price that is incredibly inflated, then when Ale offers a price at half the amount it is as if she had insulted the vendor's mother. "Ayaa" they exclaim in agony, then "Okay Miss I give you very good price." It can go on like this for quite a while, but I have to admit Ale is very firm. She usually gets a price much lower than I ever could. I just don't have the stomach for it.
We are now staying with my cousin Les and his wife Alecsandra (Ale) in Hong Kong. Les works as an engineering reprepresentative for Rolls Royce jet engines, and has been posted here for the last two and a half years. The last time I saw him was in July 2004 when he was living outside of Lisbon, Portugal. His sons Thomas, 6, and Martin, 5, are very energetic and not at all shy. They have obviously both grown and changed a lot in the last three years. When I last saw them Thomas spoke Portugese and Martin was not speaking at all; now they both speak English fluently (and quite a lot I might add). Alecsandra really enjoys the fact that the Green family includes British, Portugese, Brazilian, Spanish, and Canadians.
Today was Julia's birthday and she requested we go shopping. So Ale, Julia and I headed first to "Ladies Market" so they could look for shoes and handbags. Fortunately for Julia Ale is an expert at bargaining in Hong Kong markets. It is actually quite amusing to watch, because it is all quite dramatic. The vendor will first give a price that is incredibly inflated, then when Ale offers a price at half the amount it is as if she had insulted the vendor's mother. "Ayaa" they exclaim in agony, then "Okay Miss I give you very good price." It can go on like this for quite a while, but I have to admit Ale is very firm. She usually gets a price much lower than I ever could. I just don't have the stomach for it.
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