Discover Hong Kong

While taking the 98D back to work this afternoon, I was wondering if I left Hong Kong tomorrow, would I miss anything? Of course there are people I would miss but Hong Kong itself not a city I love. There are parts of it, if I look deep enough into the nooks and crannies, that I would really miss: street food, Joyce is Not Here and Octopus Cards. But what else? Lately, I've been cynical — bitchy, even about the things and people I do not like. Sarcasm has always been part of my charm but the recent pessamism is not, and I blame my surroundings for a lot of this: the emphasis on money, social ignorance and the huge gap between the rich and the poor.

The more I learn about the city, the more I feel like I don't belong here. God knows I'm not perfect. And I still feel pride because my roots grew from this ground. But I've been feeling lost here, especially lately. My mom arrives for a two-week stay starting tomorrow and I'm really excited to have a part of home with me. She'll know what to do and say to help me feel better about things. And if she can't, then hopefully a vacation in Beijing next month will. I need it.

Comments

[sarah]

Poor Andy... that sucks. I remember in Singapore I felt really weird sometimes because they are socially very far behind North America in their acceptance of people and how materialistic a society it was. I had one of my best friends there to laugh it off with though and relate with me. It must be so hard for you and I remember losing it sometimes and getting really cynical about the place too. I wish I could be there for you and help you remember how more people in Canada are accepting and have less materialistic values... or atleast are aware that those problems exist in society. We love you. Don't go crazy, okay? I'll send you a little something on Monday to help ease the pain.

[Andrea Chiu]

Yay!

[brian]

It might be Mofo March Malaise. I, too, (along with some other people) just can't be bothered this month. April will be better. I know it.

[ran]

Now isn't that interesting... Seems you're going through what I was going through, about a year ago. The US Peace corps would hand out a flier to its volunteers being posted abroad, something explaining the typical pattern of settling in. By the way, don't worry, I'm a Montrealer. Don't take the last sentence as me plugging the US. In my case, I got more immersed, got more into what is good about this place, and was conciously thankful for what is good. I'm not saying that HK is where you should be, but that if you're to decide to remake yourself in another place, do it with a clear head. HK is the most shallow place you could imagine, true, and the people are generally as appealing as a shovel in the face, but there are many a great thing just round the bend. Maybe you should go spend a few hours at the beach... Not a soul in sight, dolphins breaking into the air, water you actually can get into... This is where you live. Check out what I mean, over hither: http://ranhasa.typepad.com/blog/2006/03/elite_tour_guid.html

[Teddy]

Have a nice trip in Beijing, and refresh.

[Andrea Chiu]

Thanks Teddy. Nice blog. If I could read it, it would be even nicer :)