Hong Kong

This was the third time that my buddy Steve Borg and I had taught a course together.

It was getting to feel like a habit (a good one).

Infocan was the training center that hosted the event for Microsoft.

"I'm about to show you just how easy it is to work with XML in the new programming environment."

Steve is explaining how the Google search engine works and can be a benefit to developers.

Some of the smartest people you'll meet.

John, nearest to the camera, was very fast at debugging software issues.

Wait a minute! Where did all the people go to?

Oh, if you look carefully, there's actually one guy visible (kinda like "Find Waldo," isn't it?).

Steve at work summarizing the benefits of InfoPath, a new Microsoft product that's a very cool front-end for XML data.

The other side of the room.

Vicky, nearest to the camera, works for Infocan.

I don't think I need a caption for this one.

Steve sits down occasionally, but he's too much of a high-energy guy to do it for long.

Four Microsoft employees from China attended the training.

They were all developer evangelists, whose job is to connect developers with Microsoft products.

Grace was from Beijing, Tang from Shanghai, and Henry and Wei from Beijing.

On the final day, Infocan took us all out to lunch at Lulu's.

John on the left, I told you about before; Steve you already know; Richard works for Infocan; Yu, from Korea, is a very capable programmer, and my chopsticks consultant, as you'll see in a moment.

Vicky, Kenny, Chiman, Drezen and Shuk rounded out our table.

Shuk is from Hong Kong, but now works for Microsoft Australia.

Yu and Vicky were my advisors for the remainder of the meal.

I don't know if you've ever tried eating with chopsticks, but it ain't as simple as it may seem.

Yu's been doing it all his life, so he offers pointers on just how to hold the sticks.

And what do you know? I actually got a mouthful up from the bowl and into the face! Victory!

But if I had to eat this way every day, I'd drop 30 pounds easy.

Hmmm... now THERE'S an idea!

East meets West. Ads for Chinese movies and restaurants live side by side with "The Spaghetti House" and "Outback Steakhouse."

Feel like a little KFC?

No problem, provided you can find a way across the road through the continuous stream of buses.

This vending machine accepts the Octopus card. You just pass the card in front of the panel with the figure 8 on it and your payment is made.

You can buy many things in Hong Kong with an Octopus card. You charge it up with amounts from $100HK to whatever you like, and you can ride the trains, take a bus, buy from 7-11, patronize vending machines, and much more.

Very cool and very efficient.

Good night, Irene.

On my way back to the hotel room for a good night's rest, I decided to do a self-portrait in the elevator.

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There are more pix to see, including my Hong Kong departure.