I have to say Hong Kong was a
unique experience, because I simply don't have the words to describe it.
Okay, I'll think of a few... as another former British colony which was
turned back over to the Chinese government in 1997, you'll find most
people speak enough English to take your money and smile while doing so.
Seriously, though, there are an unusual number of British-style pubs and
restaurants, as well as a few that cater almost specifically, it seems, to
Australians or Scots -- seeing a guy in a kilt in the middle of Hong Kong
was something of a shock, but then meeting the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders
wasn't exactly on my itenerary, either, so why not?
As you'd expect, Hong Kong is a city where you can get just about
anything if you look hard enough, have money and are willing to haggle.
Oh, and knowing Cantonese is a definite plus -- if you have any sense of
awareness at all, you'll notice right off that the prices for things go up
by as much as 50% when you start speaking English. I had the benefit of
the face -- they assumed I was a local and pointed out the sales prices to
me before I opened my mouth and disappointed them. *snicker*
The most striking thing about Hong Kong is the diversity of
architecture. There is a dichotomy of economics which creates the Asian
equivalent of housing projects situated right next to high-income office
towers and condominiums such as this. Although there are new housing areas
opening up on Victoria Peak, they're rapidly running out of space on the
island, and real estate is at a premium; the average apartment or
condominium measures around 800 square feet, and will run you over
$100,000 US to purchase. Now that Hong Kong is the property of the Chinese
government again, I expect that neighboring regions across the bay may
become suburbs of a sort, since the commute doesn't require a passport and
visa any more.
The downtown district was decorated in lights, but not your
average, run-of the mill strings of Christmas lights. No, we're talking
neon, and in a few cases, the lights were inside the windows of buildings,
pixellated and coordinated by computer to have a moving display.
Incredible doesn't even begin to describe the sight. The photographs you
see here were taken from the boat as it ran to and from the Honolulu at
its anchorage in the harbor next to the USS Frank Cable.
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Hong Kong is definitely an example of a modern city which hangs
onto old ways. There is a definite separation between the haves and the
have-nots; you're either rich or you're not, in Hong Kong. That's good for
the tourists, and bad for the locals -- lots of items that'll cost you an
arm and a leg in the states are very cheap in Hong Kong,you know what you're looking for. Jade is abundant, but so is
green soapstone, so watch out for fakes! Silk is also quite inexpensive,
if you are looking for a medium grade of cloth -- the really good stuff is
still expensive (hey, they still have to pull this stuff off of
caterpillars, you know! That's harder work than it sounds!) As for the
food... don't get me started! Just go and eat; it'll be worth the trip.
While in Hong Kong, I participated in a community service project
to paint an outdoor auditorium in what used to be the Salvation Army Kwong
Yu Primary School. The 41-year-old school is being converted into an
Education and Family Development Center to be used by the citizens of the
Wanchai District, as well as housing offices for Social Services , and our
work was the help them prepare for its opening in February of 2001.
We were fortunate enough, as I said, to have arrived in the weeks
prior to the Chinese New Year, and we discovered that, at least in Hong
Kong, the decorations come out in force. Never mind Christmas, folks --
these people know how to decorate! Flowers are everywhere, as well as
little tangerine trees (a symbol of good luck and prosperity -- a lot
easier to have hanging around than the other symbol of prosperity, the
fish)
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As you'd expect, Hong Kong is a city where you can get just about
anything if you look hard enough, have money and are willing to haggle.
Oh, and knowing Cantonese is a definite plus -- if you have any sense of
awareness at all, you'll notice right off that the prices for things go up
by as much as 50% when you start speaking English. I had the benefit of
the face -- they assumed I was a local and pointed out the sales prices to
me before I opened my mouth and disappointed them. *snicker*
The most striking thing about Hong Kong is the diversity of
architecture. There is a dichotomy of economics which creates the Asian
equivalent of housing projects situated right next to high-income office
towers and condominiums such as this. Although there are new housing areas
opening up on Victoria Peak, they're rapidly running out of space on the
island, and real estate is at a premium; the average apartment or
condominium measures around 800 square feet, and will run you over
$100,000 US to purchase. Now that Hong Kong is the property of the Chinese
government again, I expect that neighboring regions across the bay may
become suburbs of a sort, since the commute doesn't require a passport and
visa any more.
The downtown district was decorated in lights, but not your
average, run-of the mill strings of Christmas lights. No, we're talking
neon, and in a few cases, the lights were inside the windows of buildings,
pixellated and coordinated by computer to have a moving display.
Incredible doesn't even begin to describe the sight. The photographs you
see here were taken from the boat as it ran to and from the Honolulu at
its anchorage in the harbor next to the USS Frank Cable.
While in Hong Kong, I participated in a community service project
to paint an outdoor auditorium in what used to be the Salvation Army Kwong
Yu Primary School. The 41-year-old school is being converted into an
Education and Family Development Center to be used by the citizens of the
Wanchai District, as well as housing offices for Social Services , and our
work was the help them prepare for its opening in February of 2001.