This was a blog post from July, 2013 as part of my journey to Spin the World Around.
5 Nights in Hong Kong!
Central Hong Kong!
While waiting in the Manila airport for my flight to Hong Kong, I let my pen go free in my notebook, writing about my experiences in the Philippines falling in love. The pen moved freely, and the story wrote itself like a non-fiction romance novel. The details were so beautiful, pure, and full of laughter and love (or so I thought). I arrived in Hong Kong and took the wonderful airport express the central station. I really enjoyed the Airport Express; it was a super fast train, and it got you into Central Hong Kong lickety split! I can't imagine any other way of getting to town that would be faster. From central station, I switched over to the MTR (Mass transit railway), Honk Kong's underground metro subway system. In no time, I was at my next couch host's neighborhood in Central Hong Kong.
Scaffolding is Still Bamboo in HK
"Russell!" shouted my host in a jubilant voice. I was several minutes late, having been delayed getting the proper small bills for my MTR ride, as well as getting side tracked in the bathroom at the Hong Kong airport from my lunch in Manila that day. "Welcome back to civilization!" my host exclaimed as he guided me to a counter in the train station. He handed me a sim card for my phone, as well as a charged-up Octopus card and a key to his flat for my stay. My host had couch hosting down to an art and a science, and he had mastered both.
In Hong Kong, the octopus card is a rechargeable RF-ID card that lets you purchase anything from train, ferry, and bus rides to dinner at many restaurants and supermarkets. It is invaluable for getting around quickly in the bustling city, as is a sim card. Now back in the big city after a trip to the villages of the Philippines, it was so wonderful to have a great host that could help me pack in as much as humanly possible in a short 5-night stay.
In Hong Kong, the octopus card is a rechargeable RF-ID card that lets you purchase anything from train, ferry, and bus rides to dinner at many restaurants and supermarkets. It is invaluable for getting around quickly in the bustling city, as is a sim card. Now back in the big city after a trip to the villages of the Philippines, it was so wonderful to have a great host that could help me pack in as much as humanly possible in a short 5-night stay.
|
Before going back to his place, we stopped for dinner at a Cantonese restaurant in the neighborhood where he knew everyone in the place, and we ate the best Chinese meal of my life to that point. All of the food was so fresh and so delicately cooked. After weeks of grilled fish in the Philippines, I was treated to some steamed fish, a Cantonese delight. By steaming the fish instead of grilling it, the animal came out much more tender and not dry at all. Even the skin was supple and delicious. I need to learn how to steam fish like that; it was amazing. I'm told the biggest secret is the timing of how long to keep it steaming before it dries out and loses its internal moisture.
We returned to this restaurant a few days later for some Saturday morning Dim Sum, and again, it knocked my socks off. I'd had Dim Sum before, but it never tasted so fresh, clean, and pure. We had it at another restaurant the next day, and though it was still better than any others I've ever had since being in Chinatown of London 15 years ago, it still wasn't as good as what I ate at Ka Ho. I'd highly recommend Ka Ho for some of the best Cantonese food out there!
|
My first meal!
Best Chinese Restaurant Ever!
|
Cocktails with my host!
After dinner, we returned to my host's apartment where I was shown my room. The bed was only 5'6" long, but I managed many good night's sleep on it by sleeping diagonally. Of course, we had to take our shoes off at the door, which is standard in Asia. Not only that, but then there are additional "special shoes" used for indoor use only which never touched the outdoors and reside near the front door. This is pretty standard in Asia. It's like Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood where you change your shoes as the first thing when you enter the house, and the last thing when you leave. I preferred to just walk around barefoot, but this seemed to be not as couth (though tolerated, the excuse was that the floor was 'too dirty' for bare feet).
My awesome host then took the time to highlight a city map with me, outlining an itinerary for me to explore the next day while he was at work. To close the evening, he mixed us some nightcap cocktails from his extensive home bar, which included a restaurant-quality menu made by a professional graphic designer! He was eager for feedback on his mixology skills, and the first cocktail was his own creation called "Rose Plum Garden," a drink made with Mui Kwe Lu liquor, Umeshu (Japanese plum wine), and sugar. He used refined sugar the first night, and the taste was a bit harsh. We later found out that the bars used Taikoo unrefined sugar, which is somewhat like Mexican panela, but much easier to work with. In a quest to make the best possible cocktail, we actually spent one of our evenings scouring the city looking for this special unrefined cane sugar, buying several close alternatives along the way, but eventually finding the right stuff so he could make the cocktail for a bunch of guests he had over one night before dinner. The type of sugar definitely does make a difference!
My awesome host then took the time to highlight a city map with me, outlining an itinerary for me to explore the next day while he was at work. To close the evening, he mixed us some nightcap cocktails from his extensive home bar, which included a restaurant-quality menu made by a professional graphic designer! He was eager for feedback on his mixology skills, and the first cocktail was his own creation called "Rose Plum Garden," a drink made with Mui Kwe Lu liquor, Umeshu (Japanese plum wine), and sugar. He used refined sugar the first night, and the taste was a bit harsh. We later found out that the bars used Taikoo unrefined sugar, which is somewhat like Mexican panela, but much easier to work with. In a quest to make the best possible cocktail, we actually spent one of our evenings scouring the city looking for this special unrefined cane sugar, buying several close alternatives along the way, but eventually finding the right stuff so he could make the cocktail for a bunch of guests he had over one night before dinner. The type of sugar definitely does make a difference!
Nature and Nurture
Coming to a Wal Mart near you!
Being a huge fan of nature, my first stop on the itinerary the next day was Lamma Island, where I met a liason to whom my host connected me. After grabbing a take-away sandwich from the mall near the harbor to enjoy on the island, I boarded the boat just in time as the gate closed behind me and the ship pushed off. Good thing I had my Octopus card, or I would have totally missed the boat!
The ferry ride was very relaxing and provided some great views of Hong Kong from the water. The destination of Lamma Island was even more beautiful.
The ferry ride was very relaxing and provided some great views of Hong Kong from the water. The destination of Lamma Island was even more beautiful.
Choosing my Religion
I was carrying a bright yellow handbag from the Philippines duty-free store, so it was very easy for my contact on the island to spot me when I reached the dock at Yung Shue Wan (besides the long hair and Western look). He treated me to a juice shake as he sipped tea and we talked.
"So, you are Buddhist?" I enquired.
"Well... it depends how you define Buddhism," he tactfully replied.
In Hong Kong, Buddha is pretty popular, and there are not only many temples that decorated the city, but you will find many shrines in the most random places. On street corners, restaurants, and apartment stairways, shrines adorned with incense and offerings of fruit are common. Like I always do, when given the opportunity, I went off about my spiritual beliefs...
"I totally believe in Buddha... and Jesus... and Mohammed," I said. "I love all of them, and I think they are all pretty equal, as they are all simply enlightened humans. We all have the potential to reach this state of enlightenment. I even believe in the miracles attributed to them. Quantum physics and books like The Source Field Investigations are coming close to scientifically explaining how such miracles can exist on the physical plane, but until then, I know in my heart it's all very real.
"The real god is in the oneness," I continued to pontificate. "There is no matter, only vibration. If you look at this table, it looks like a table made of wood, separated from you and me by the space we perceive between us. However, if you take a microscope, and zoom in, you will see that it's not really a table, but mostly space, and in between this space are some wood fibers. If you zoom in on a wood fiber, you will see that it's not actually a wood fiber, but mostly space, and in between this space are some carbon-based molecules. If you zoom in on a molecule, you will see that it's not actually a molecule, but several atoms loosely bound together with space in between. If you zoom in on one of the atoms, you will see that it's mostly space, with some neutrons, protons and electrons. Zoom in from there, and you will see mostly space, with some quarks. Now go out to the macro and look at a satellite picture of us, and you will see this island of Lamma, and so on.
"If we can only recognize that or physical reality is merely an illusion, then we can understand the real power we have, which idols like Jesus and Buddha experienced. That is, we control our own reality through our intentions, and the limit to our ability is where we place it. Perception and belief is everything. I feel that all of the religions are correct. All of the religions say exactly the same thing... Treat others kindly, and behave as if you are a part in the greater universe. Use your vibrations to help others, and you will fit into the oneness. By doing that, you will not only achieve a steady state of bliss, but you will also help others do the same."
"Wait, all religions are not the same," he chimed in. He pointed out that any religion that includes the worship of some entity or ego outside the greater whole is a limiting factor. We further discussed the ramifications of the idea of worshiping idols. For example, in Christianity, by simply "accepting Jesus as your one and only savior and the only path to heaven," you release all control of your reality into the hands of an unknown and unseen idol, thereby giving up all right to experience the world through your own path and finding your place in it, as well as giving up all responsibility of your actions because you will be saved by the savior. Identifying with the Buddha is a bit closer to the reality because Buddha is not someone to whom you pass responsibility, but more of a "model citizen" that displayed one path to enlightenment. However, we both agreed that directly worshiping Buddha also misses the mark. Jesus was similarly a great model citizen, hanging out with a wide Rouges Gallery of destitutes, prostitutes, and bums, but never judging any of them, but instead merely sending them all love and preaching the good word. Essentially, these are all people to be studied and possibly even followed, but not to be worshiped and passed responsibility for your own actions.
To me, Jesus summed up our experience best in this crude, so called "physical" realm when he said a few words about manifestation in Matthew 21:21:
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done."
Of course, in the end we both agreed that we really don't know anything about anything, and this was all just fodder for good discussion over tea. After this deep philosophical discussion about spirituality versus religion versus worship versus faith versus dogma, my liaison escorted me from the town to an island trailhead that started by the large windmill and progressed across the backbone of the island to the other ferry port at Sok Kwu Wan.
"So, you are Buddhist?" I enquired.
"Well... it depends how you define Buddhism," he tactfully replied.
In Hong Kong, Buddha is pretty popular, and there are not only many temples that decorated the city, but you will find many shrines in the most random places. On street corners, restaurants, and apartment stairways, shrines adorned with incense and offerings of fruit are common. Like I always do, when given the opportunity, I went off about my spiritual beliefs...
"I totally believe in Buddha... and Jesus... and Mohammed," I said. "I love all of them, and I think they are all pretty equal, as they are all simply enlightened humans. We all have the potential to reach this state of enlightenment. I even believe in the miracles attributed to them. Quantum physics and books like The Source Field Investigations are coming close to scientifically explaining how such miracles can exist on the physical plane, but until then, I know in my heart it's all very real.
"The real god is in the oneness," I continued to pontificate. "There is no matter, only vibration. If you look at this table, it looks like a table made of wood, separated from you and me by the space we perceive between us. However, if you take a microscope, and zoom in, you will see that it's not really a table, but mostly space, and in between this space are some wood fibers. If you zoom in on a wood fiber, you will see that it's not actually a wood fiber, but mostly space, and in between this space are some carbon-based molecules. If you zoom in on a molecule, you will see that it's not actually a molecule, but several atoms loosely bound together with space in between. If you zoom in on one of the atoms, you will see that it's mostly space, with some neutrons, protons and electrons. Zoom in from there, and you will see mostly space, with some quarks. Now go out to the macro and look at a satellite picture of us, and you will see this island of Lamma, and so on.
"If we can only recognize that or physical reality is merely an illusion, then we can understand the real power we have, which idols like Jesus and Buddha experienced. That is, we control our own reality through our intentions, and the limit to our ability is where we place it. Perception and belief is everything. I feel that all of the religions are correct. All of the religions say exactly the same thing... Treat others kindly, and behave as if you are a part in the greater universe. Use your vibrations to help others, and you will fit into the oneness. By doing that, you will not only achieve a steady state of bliss, but you will also help others do the same."
"Wait, all religions are not the same," he chimed in. He pointed out that any religion that includes the worship of some entity or ego outside the greater whole is a limiting factor. We further discussed the ramifications of the idea of worshiping idols. For example, in Christianity, by simply "accepting Jesus as your one and only savior and the only path to heaven," you release all control of your reality into the hands of an unknown and unseen idol, thereby giving up all right to experience the world through your own path and finding your place in it, as well as giving up all responsibility of your actions because you will be saved by the savior. Identifying with the Buddha is a bit closer to the reality because Buddha is not someone to whom you pass responsibility, but more of a "model citizen" that displayed one path to enlightenment. However, we both agreed that directly worshiping Buddha also misses the mark. Jesus was similarly a great model citizen, hanging out with a wide Rouges Gallery of destitutes, prostitutes, and bums, but never judging any of them, but instead merely sending them all love and preaching the good word. Essentially, these are all people to be studied and possibly even followed, but not to be worshiped and passed responsibility for your own actions.
To me, Jesus summed up our experience best in this crude, so called "physical" realm when he said a few words about manifestation in Matthew 21:21:
Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done."
Of course, in the end we both agreed that we really don't know anything about anything, and this was all just fodder for good discussion over tea. After this deep philosophical discussion about spirituality versus religion versus worship versus faith versus dogma, my liaison escorted me from the town to an island trailhead that started by the large windmill and progressed across the backbone of the island to the other ferry port at Sok Kwu Wan.
Old man's garden in Yung Shue Wan
On the way, he showed me some properties that were still used for agriculture by old men that had been there for many decades. The government was pretty much waiting for them to croak so they could mow down the beautiful trees, flowers, and vegetables to throw up some new condos and double the population of Lamma Island. We lamented the idea, but felt blessed to witness the current state. As we reached the crest of the first hill, we saw a large powerplant on the shore that apparently supplies the city of Hong Kong with most of its energy needs. The rest of the island was an untouched oasis, and after we parted ways near the sole windmill of the island, I made my way across the high trail as my contact returned home address some paperwork for his side job as a retired professor, preparing for a volunteer trip to mainland China later in the summer.
Spider man!
I enjoyed the walk through the narrow path surrounded by lush tropical plants very much. It was definitely an exercise in mindful awareness. Not only was the trail very rugged and at times, poorly marked, there were several large spider webs tended by gargantuan spiders who thought the best place to catch lunch was along the trail, where they spun their webs between the trees that lined it. After walking into the first web and getting my hair riddled with cobwebs, I learned quickly to keep my eyes out for them, and when I found one, I'd curl up into a ball near the ground and slip under the web so as not to disturb these frighteningly-large arachnids. I got some impressive pictures of those beasts, which are supposedly non-poisonous, but likely have fangs big enough to do some damage if you made one angry or trapped on your face!
The weather in Hong Kong was quite sultry and humid during my first couple of days. I found myself and everyone around me pouring with sweat at all times, in between freezing in super-cold air-conditioned buildings while in town. Deodorant and napkins were futile. Daily laundry and multiple showers per day were a necessity.
The weather in Hong Kong was quite sultry and humid during my first couple of days. I found myself and everyone around me pouring with sweat at all times, in between freezing in super-cold air-conditioned buildings while in town. Deodorant and napkins were futile. Daily laundry and multiple showers per day were a necessity.
What do you do for a living?
Small village in Lamma Island
I had a brief conversation with an older gentleman and his wife on the trail (both from the area). He asked what I do, and I told him I'd saved enough money doing software development to take a trip like this, but that really what I do now is live modestly by couchsurfing and that I was a blogger. He felt blogging was no way to make money and he bemoaned that it would be impossible for him to take such a journey because of the weights of responsibility he had created for himself. I told him that he could do whatever he wanted in life if he put his mind to it. I made it to the pier at Sok Kwu Won to eat my lunch before boarding the ferry back to town. The Sok Kwu Won seafood restaurants looked appealing, but I had already packed my lunch. The ferry schedule on that side of the island is more sporadic, but the timing was perfect again and I got back to Hong Kong quickly.
43rd floor, Bank of China
When I got back to Central Hong Kong, I knocked out a few smaller attractions in rapid succession, including visiting the 43rd floor at the Bank of China tower. I then spent some time basking in a couple of urban parks, and took in the vibes at a couple of Buddhist temples. By then, my host arrived back at his place from a hard day's work teaching English composition to some 7th graders. We walked the streets of Hong Kong as my host spewed a barrage of information about his wonderful city. From the many superstitions of the Chinese people, to introducing me to the many cats and goldfish of his neighborhood, my host was a very intense, very entertaining, and very caring person. He was an encyclopedia of knowledge, knowing what seemed like every species of dog, plant, animal, and person we crossed on our journeys.
Pani Puri
He took us to a Napalese restaurant that was totally unmarked on the 4th floor of what appeared to be a non-descript apartment building in the middle of town. This was after attempting to stop in a similar "restaurant" in another apartment building nearby. If I didn't have such an awesome host, there's no way I would have gotten the deep taste of the area, nor would I have had the chance to learn so much about the culture and the history of the city. He was a truly amazing host that could easily make a career as a tourguide for underground travelers like myself, but I guess that's what couchsurfing is all about!
Chinese Medicine
Electric Acupuncture!
The next day, we rode the double-decker trolly around, and I got to try acupuncture and cupping from a Chinese doctor living in Hong Kong. She was a master, and quickly found the most tender acupoints on my arms, where she inserted needles in rapid succession, then hooked them up to a machine that pumped electricity into my muscles so they twitched and flexed like a heartbeat. It was the first time I had electricity sent through the needles, and it was definitely more intense. I felt like Frankenstein's monster. This allowed quick results in less time. The needles were only in for 15-20 minutes, but that was plenty of time to get results. Before I got the needles, she performed cupping, wherein she put more cups that I'd imagined possible on my back. I enjoy cupping because I find that it helps my facial complexion. I tend to get acne when my diet includes things like cheap milk chocolate, deep fried foods, and the like. Cupping seems to draw these impurities out of my back instead of out of my face, which is definitely preferable!
Reading cigarette boxes causes cancer
We followed up this experience with happy hour and some vodka on the rooftop of a friend's apartment building. I put my body through a lot that day, including a rye whisky & Benedictine nightcap that I clumsily spilled on my host's couch as I bid him goodnight (doh!). The next morning, I paid for my severe dehydration with a headache and sore neck, especially where the cups were. I nursed myself back to health with lots of water, tea, a nice breakfast, electrolytes, and vitamins.
In between my urban adventures with my host and others I'd met along the way, I focused on writing my blog about the Philippines. As with most of my past travel stories, it was written from the standpoint of an ignorant westerner, in awe at his experiences in a new and different world. Writing with complete openness and transparency, with a small hint of sarcasm and fun-poking, I thought it was one of the best I'd written, including a romantic kiss-and-tell story with some lovely ladies that captured my heart. I openly shared it with them before posting the story, but it wasn't until after I put it up on my blog that one of the girls got wind that people were totally offended, and everyone suddenly hated me. I was crushed. Apparently, the story went viral in the Philippines and it was shared on the Facebook walls of several Filipinos with their tendency to gossip about things as ghastly as an open-mouthed kiss and textual flirting. Not only that, one of the girls had Facebook friends dropping like flies and some of her so-called friends were making it their mission to identify and publicly disgrace the girl I fell for in Palawan. After over 1000 views in one day, I had to pull the story and go back to the drawing board. It seemed that I also offended one of my couch hosts because I mentioned that their futon didn't yield a good night's sleep. Finally, I was told that my story was rather negative and not only made the Philippines look bad, but would embarrass everyone with whom I came in contact during my trip--which was the total opposite of my intentions. It was clear that I had a lot to learn about Asian culture if I were to ever progress from "Western Tourist" to "World Traveler." I fell in love with everything about the Philippines, from the people to the landscape to the food to the cost of living. Hearing that so many people were offended and gossiping broke my heart. I know my stories are entertaining to some, but my goal is to reach and entertain the widest audience possible, and not at the expense of others. With that, I'm still working on a newer release that is far more palatable and entertaining to all, but also respects the culture... Still working...
In between my urban adventures with my host and others I'd met along the way, I focused on writing my blog about the Philippines. As with most of my past travel stories, it was written from the standpoint of an ignorant westerner, in awe at his experiences in a new and different world. Writing with complete openness and transparency, with a small hint of sarcasm and fun-poking, I thought it was one of the best I'd written, including a romantic kiss-and-tell story with some lovely ladies that captured my heart. I openly shared it with them before posting the story, but it wasn't until after I put it up on my blog that one of the girls got wind that people were totally offended, and everyone suddenly hated me. I was crushed. Apparently, the story went viral in the Philippines and it was shared on the Facebook walls of several Filipinos with their tendency to gossip about things as ghastly as an open-mouthed kiss and textual flirting. Not only that, one of the girls had Facebook friends dropping like flies and some of her so-called friends were making it their mission to identify and publicly disgrace the girl I fell for in Palawan. After over 1000 views in one day, I had to pull the story and go back to the drawing board. It seemed that I also offended one of my couch hosts because I mentioned that their futon didn't yield a good night's sleep. Finally, I was told that my story was rather negative and not only made the Philippines look bad, but would embarrass everyone with whom I came in contact during my trip--which was the total opposite of my intentions. It was clear that I had a lot to learn about Asian culture if I were to ever progress from "Western Tourist" to "World Traveler." I fell in love with everything about the Philippines, from the people to the landscape to the food to the cost of living. Hearing that so many people were offended and gossiping broke my heart. I know my stories are entertaining to some, but my goal is to reach and entertain the widest audience possible, and not at the expense of others. With that, I'm still working on a newer release that is far more palatable and entertaining to all, but also respects the culture... Still working...
Anyway...
Hong Kong is also a part of Asia. It is a city, and Island, and part of China. Actually, it is called a "Special Administrative Region," and it was established as such in the late 1990's as a separately-governed body from mainland China. Americans can't go to mainland China without a visa, but you can visit Hong Kong with just your passport. It used to be a British colony, and they drive on the left side of the street, as well as teach English in elementary school. The Chinese dialect is Cantonese, whereas in mainland China, they speak Mandarin. By all accounts, Hong Kong is pretty much like any other metropolitan city in the West. The people are always hustling around. Yuppies are immersed in their material possessions and disconnected with the many beautiful strangers around them. There is a rat race to tear down buildings older than 20 years so they can build newer and taller high-rises to collect more revenue (much to the sadness of my host, who totally appreciated the old, sometimes deteriorating structures, some of which pre-dated World War II.
Goldfish Shopping Spree!
My host really put in the time with me. One day, he took me to a part of town called Prince Edward where both sides of the street for several blocks were lined with stores selling pet fish and other creatures such as turtles, tortoises, scorpions, beetles, and even some cats and dogs. In these stores, you could select your own specific fish from any tank. Most shops were freshwater, but there were some saltwater fish. My host knew and explained to me just about every species we came across, along with the Chinese folklore that went along with why you might purchase one. For example, some goldfish are bred with a very large, bulging forehead, essentially a brain tumor. This species, called the Lionhead goldfish. It is bred with this forehead to look like the God of Longevity.
Polly want a cracker?
As if this wasn't enough, in the same neighborhood of Prince Edward, there was another section dedicated to birds. We said hello to several large parakeets and cockatoos that said it back to us. We saw a toucan and lots of other birds for sale as pets. There were several different men chillaxing nearby; chatting is a pastime of the birdmen.
Flower Child
The trifecta of Prince Edward was achieved when we visited the flower markets in the area. They specialized in potted flowers, cut flowers, and other plants such as bansai trees. You could find carnivorous plants such as the venus fly trap and the pitcher plant in the many shops. My host had previously bought several plants here, which he kept on his apartment balcony and had his couchsurfers water each morning.
I am a huge fan of flowers, so I spent lots of time taking pictures and immersing my nose in the many petals. There was also a few shops that sold cut flowers, so I bought some water lilies which grow in the mud with stems several feet tall to make it out of the deep mud and reach the sunlight. They looked nice in my host's apartment and it was the first time a guy ever bought him flowers.. LOL.
Instead of hiring florists for events, many people simply go to the wholesale flower shops and create their own arrangements from the plethora of choices available.
I am a huge fan of flowers, so I spent lots of time taking pictures and immersing my nose in the many petals. There was also a few shops that sold cut flowers, so I bought some water lilies which grow in the mud with stems several feet tall to make it out of the deep mud and reach the sunlight. They looked nice in my host's apartment and it was the first time a guy ever bought him flowers.. LOL.
Instead of hiring florists for events, many people simply go to the wholesale flower shops and create their own arrangements from the plethora of choices available.
Coffin shop
Hong Kong is filled with little pockets of similar shops like this. In my host's neighborhood, there were several coffin shops. Many of the coffins were made out of heavy-duty wood from a special region in China called Liuzhou and they were in the shape of a boat. The Buddhists believe that when a person dies, he / she has to travel through the sea of bitterness before reaching the other shore (that is pure land). That is why the coffin has to built in the shape of a boat. Chinese funerals consist of bringing the body to a family member's home for a wake that lasts several days and goes 24-hours. Also, it is apparently bad luck to attend a wedding and a funeral within close proximity of each other.
"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws" ~Jim Morrison
"Death makes angels of us all and gives us wings where we had shoulders smooth as raven's claws" ~Jim Morrison
|
Nearby the coffin shops were "paper shops" which sold paper versions of all of the material possessions one might own in the physical realm, from cars to iPhones to motorcycles, washing machines, clothes, briefcases, and even money from "the bank of hell." These items are to be burned as offerings for the deceased as part of a memorial ceremony. I was actually in town during a memorial day, and people were burning these paper effigies all over town in the streets.
In Memorial
Couchsurfing really came through for me in Hong Kong, as I would not have deeply experienced all of these things or known what was going on without my amazing host, who had a passion to share it with me. I felt so blessed to have had him show me around.
|
Paper Effigies
You Can't take it with you. Or can you?
|
High School Reunion
One day, I also got a chance to meet up with an old friend from high school. He was actually my original excuse for visiting Hong Kong during my around the world journey, and we hung out a couple of nights. We hadn't seen each other since high school, and I got to ride in a Hong Kong taxi for the first time, his treat! He ended up as a sucessful business man working for Apple, who jets him around the world to the point where he's sort of a primadonna that takes cabs everywhere, which was fine by me to ride in one for free! We went to see a comedian one night named Al Ducharme. He was featured on comedy central, and out of LA. Ducharme nicely blended physical comedy with some improvisation, crazy voices, and family-related jokes. The substance of it didn't really get as deep as, say, George Carlin, but it was nice and light-hearted for a Saturday night, and he definitely had me laughing in the basement club that night! I actually won a raffle and got a signed copy of his cd!
My friend and I closed that part of the night with a couple of drinks, and I then met up with my couch host, who was chillin at 208 Hollywood road, which closed early at 11pm.
My friend and I closed that part of the night with a couple of drinks, and I then met up with my couch host, who was chillin at 208 Hollywood road, which closed early at 11pm.
From there, we went to a cocktail bar and restaurant called 3 Monkeys to close the night. Every girl that worked there was strikingly beautiful, and we met another of my host's friends that brought two lovely ladies with him. One of them was crushing on me, but she was too shy and not confident in her English to talk to me before they headed out to another club. My host's friend and I discussed the Silent Disco and fantasized about opening a Hong Kong branch of Austin Silent disco, as it appears the concept has not yet caught on there.
After sleeping in late on our last morning and booking more tickets and requesting more couches for the future stops on my around the world trip, we had our last Dim Sum brunch and walked the neighborhood. We met up with a spry 70-year-old who dated girls in their 20's and was a guru to many famous people. His first words to me were to tell him something interesting, and after stumbling a bit, I asked him if he believed in "real magic," the kind that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 21:21. He was hosting a seminar later that week regarding perception and reality, and surprisingly, his answer was, "No."
After sleeping in late on our last morning and booking more tickets and requesting more couches for the future stops on my around the world trip, we had our last Dim Sum brunch and walked the neighborhood. We met up with a spry 70-year-old who dated girls in their 20's and was a guru to many famous people. His first words to me were to tell him something interesting, and after stumbling a bit, I asked him if he believed in "real magic," the kind that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 21:21. He was hosting a seminar later that week regarding perception and reality, and surprisingly, his answer was, "No."
Go Steelers!
My host and I later went to the train station to meet another surfer who was to stay with us on my final night. She was also originally from Pittsburgh. We got our pictures taken holding our terrible towels, and later that night, we all went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. It was the first Mexican I'd had since leaving Austin, and it was actually pretty good and relatively authentic, though more like Tex-Mex than interior Mexican. It was really good though! It was called "I Carumba."
As real magic would have it, we ran into the guru to the stars on the way and he joined us for dinner and some deep yet skeptical agnostic wisdom over dinner. After one nightcap and a 6am rise, I took the trains back to the airport to make it to the somewhat similar (though smaller and arguably more diverse) city of Singapore. As I boarded my flight, the drama of my Filipino blog ensued and as the shit hit the fan, I pulled it for revisions, then boarded my flight.
As real magic would have it, we ran into the guru to the stars on the way and he joined us for dinner and some deep yet skeptical agnostic wisdom over dinner. After one nightcap and a 6am rise, I took the trains back to the airport to make it to the somewhat similar (though smaller and arguably more diverse) city of Singapore. As I boarded my flight, the drama of my Filipino blog ensued and as the shit hit the fan, I pulled it for revisions, then boarded my flight.
Good thing I had a translator!
|
My Lunar Calendar sign
|
Family Brunch
|
Copyright 2013, Russell Dobda
