Well, it had to come. My last night in HK.
Time to take in the neon signs one more time, along with the noise, the smells (good and not-so-good), the energy, Temple Street market, the people, lots of them, and the vibrancy that makes me love this place so much.
I hope to be back later this year. I've done all I can for now, I've put my best foot forward, and now it's all in God's hands. Wherever He wants me to be, that's where I'll end up.
I'm tempted to get another foot massage tonight... we'll see what I feel like when I get outside.
Just want to take a few more photos, really imprint the image that is Kowloon in my mind.
If I'm really inspired, I'll take a tai chi class in the morning, right before I go to the airport.
So, I'm back. And have added a ring that's also a watch, and a bracelet that matches a necklace I own, to my valuable HK jewelry collection.
No foot massage tonight, just a couple hours of walking, up Nathan Road and down Temple Street, and plenty of photos. I'm beat. But content. And looking forward to coming back someday.
Gotta pack, then go to bed. We'll see about the tai chi in the morning. I'm just starting to get over the jet-lag...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Another 24 hours in HK
It has been another fabulous 24 hours in HK. Truly a city that never sleeps. And even prettier by night than by day.
Last night I went to the Temple Street market. I went with a purpose- to buy a watch. I bought everything but. A collectible spoon for Kim, a beautiful name plate for my sister with her name written in Chinese, two small gifts - one for my sis, one for my mom (don't want to give everything away in case they are following my blog!), a business card holder for me, and a take-out dinner. Then, I had the most magical foot massage imaginable. This woman's hands did wonders for my feet, which had been walking around in heels all day. For those of you who know me well, pretty shoes and Dorothy's feet are NOT a match made in Heaven. I simply do not do pretty shoes. The ones I was wearing would fall under the category of professional and pretty, which means they're good for walking around the office in, but not meant to hit the streets to and from work. Anyway, back to my awesome 50 minute foot massage... I am definitely going to find time for another one before I leave on Friday. Now if I could only find the same shop...
After waking waking up today (Tuesday) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6am (thanks jetlag!), I turned on BBC to find out what's going on in the world. I also caught an episode of Numbers, a show I don't get to watch too often in the US. After that a small nap was in order, so that I could make it until tonight. After doing some work in my hotel room, I decided to go out and explore some more. I had lunch at this Thai place... I can't really call it a restaurant. I
t was an extended kitchen, if you will. Totally nondescript, with noise galore from the reconstruction work being done outside. I ordered an appetizer platter and got spring rolls, prawn cakes, and fish cakes. It was absolutely scrumptious. Regardless of where you go on this planet, it's always those hole-in-the-wall places that serve the best food. Thank goodness I am a hard-core omnivore because I have learned not to : a) ask what's in the food and b) think about sanitary conditions. Sounds gross, I know, but as I was sitting in this kitchen, I started thinking about the US, and how so much money is pumped into making places look nice, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, when in fact, the money should be spent on ensuring quality ingredients and on cooks who know what to do with them. I also noticed the lack of Food and Establishment Inspection Certificates, which is what prompted the sanitary comment. Sometimes, it's just better not to know.
After lunch, I headed on over to the HK Science Museum. It's designed for kids, but a couple of the exhibits are really cool. I even learned a thing or two today. I had a blast at the Mirror Exhibit, and laughed out loud at some of the illusions that can be created with mirrors. 
Here is a picture of the coolest/freakiest one. Another really cool exhibit was the art illusions, which consisted of posters which presented different illusions. It was crazy to actually witness first-hand how we can't always trust our eyes. Or our brain, as it is tricked into seeing what is not truly the case. All in all, I was at the museum a couple of hours, until 9pm when it closed, and then I walked home, amid the bustling crowd that never lets up, and all the neon signs that come to life at night. And I bought a watch today! My HK shopping mission is now complete. Great success!
Tomorrow is a busy and important day. I have meetings in the morning and the afternoon, and then a dinner in the evening. I hope to accomplish a lot, perhaps even seal a job offer. We'll see. Wish me luck. Two more days here in Asia, and I look forward to them like no other.
Last night I went to the Temple Street market. I went with a purpose- to buy a watch. I bought everything but. A collectible spoon for Kim, a beautiful name plate for my sister with her name written in Chinese, two small gifts - one for my sis, one for my mom (don't want to give everything away in case they are following my blog!), a business card holder for me, and a take-out dinner. Then, I had the most magical foot massage imaginable. This woman's hands did wonders for my feet, which had been walking around in heels all day. For those of you who know me well, pretty shoes and Dorothy's feet are NOT a match made in Heaven. I simply do not do pretty shoes. The ones I was wearing would fall under the category of professional and pretty, which means they're good for walking around the office in, but not meant to hit the streets to and from work. Anyway, back to my awesome 50 minute foot massage... I am definitely going to find time for another one before I leave on Friday. Now if I could only find the same shop...
After waking waking up today (Tuesday) bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6am (thanks jetlag!), I turned on BBC to find out what's going on in the world. I also caught an episode of Numbers, a show I don't get to watch too often in the US. After that a small nap was in order, so that I could make it until tonight. After doing some work in my hotel room, I decided to go out and explore some more. I had lunch at this Thai place... I can't really call it a restaurant. I
t was an extended kitchen, if you will. Totally nondescript, with noise galore from the reconstruction work being done outside. I ordered an appetizer platter and got spring rolls, prawn cakes, and fish cakes. It was absolutely scrumptious. Regardless of where you go on this planet, it's always those hole-in-the-wall places that serve the best food. Thank goodness I am a hard-core omnivore because I have learned not to : a) ask what's in the food and b) think about sanitary conditions. Sounds gross, I know, but as I was sitting in this kitchen, I started thinking about the US, and how so much money is pumped into making places look nice, aesthetically pleasing to the eye, when in fact, the money should be spent on ensuring quality ingredients and on cooks who know what to do with them. I also noticed the lack of Food and Establishment Inspection Certificates, which is what prompted the sanitary comment. Sometimes, it's just better not to know.
After lunch, I headed on over to the HK Science Museum. It's designed for kids, but a couple of the exhibits are really cool. I even learned a thing or two today. I had a blast at the Mirror Exhibit, and laughed out loud at some of the illusions that can be created with mirrors. 
Here is a picture of the coolest/freakiest one. Another really cool exhibit was the art illusions, which consisted of posters which presented different illusions. It was crazy to actually witness first-hand how we can't always trust our eyes. Or our brain, as it is tricked into seeing what is not truly the case. All in all, I was at the museum a couple of hours, until 9pm when it closed, and then I walked home, amid the bustling crowd that never lets up, and all the neon signs that come to life at night. And I bought a watch today! My HK shopping mission is now complete. Great success!Tomorrow is a busy and important day. I have meetings in the morning and the afternoon, and then a dinner in the evening. I hope to accomplish a lot, perhaps even seal a job offer. We'll see. Wish me luck. Two more days here in Asia, and I look forward to them like no other.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
My Chinese Love
Once again, I am intoxicated by the metropolis that is Hong Kong.
I haven't even been here a full 24 hours, but I know I could stay here forever. So I try to think - why is it that I like this place so much? NYC is also a bustling, crowded metropolis full of lights... why doesn't it lure me like HK? What is it about this place?
On the ride from the airport to Kowloon, I see the beautiful, modern skyrises that contribute to Hong Kong's beauty. Then we get onto Nathan road, with its neon flashing signs, and people crowding the sidewalks, that my heart begins to flutter.
I go for a walk today, in the Jordan section of Kowloon, and stop at the Tin Hau Temple,
with its spiral incense offerings hanging from the ceilings, 
and watch two people offer up their prayers to the gods. It is the juxtaposition of the temple, with the older apartment complexes outside, with the modern-looking hotels, that for me at least, is Hong Kong's essence. This is where the world of the latest technology and the center of the Asian financial markets meets the old, more traditional, more conservative China.I make my way to the Jade Market where I buy some trinkets and then it's on to Tung Choi Street, aka the Ladies Market. I'm glad I didn't bring more cash with me because I would've spent it all. Although I must say, two "I love Hong Kong" t-shirts
, two necklaces - one of shell, the other of jade and silver, one pair of shorts -- all for HK$220, that's US$31, is my kind of shopping spree.But let's not forget why I'm here. I want to live here. To be an expat for a couple of years. To be the only Caucasian brunette with blonde highlights walking down the street. (That's what I get for wanting to compete with the SoCal girls!!!) Thanks to a USD alum, I have 6 meetings set up this week. All I need is one job offer. Just one.
Pictures can't do this place justice. You'll have to come here in person to feel it for yourself.
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