Now just a week left to go and I’ve already started packing. Those who know me well will be much surprised to here this, as my packing’s usually a frantic last minute job that ends in me almost missing my flight and forgetting the things I need the most, but I think it really reflects how I’m feeling about things right now. The past few weeks I’ve spent so much time worrying about how much I will miss all the friends I have made in Hong Kong, and how I’m having such a great time here that I never want it to end. While half the people have said just not to go, which was out of the question, the other half were saying that as soon as I got on that plane I would forget about everything here and have the time of my life. To the latter of which I would respond that I had no doubts about having the time of my life, I was just sad to let everything here go.
So for the last few weeks, that’s how I’ve been feeling. The past few days however things have changed a bit. I think I’d been feeling that way for so long that it’s kind of brought on a premature sense of closure to this period of my life. Now I feel like I’m ready to move on. I will always remember this as an amazing part of my life, and I will always keep in touch with a lot of the friends I have made here, but I feel like it’s over now and I just want to get on to the next phase.
Plus Hong Kong is freezing right now. There is no heating. All this weather really makes me want to do is hide under my duvet. I’m pretty sure I was a bear, or some other hibernating creature, in a past life. Now the thought that in a weeks time I will be lying on a beach, baking my skin away in the heat of the Australian summer….who can blame me for being excited about getting out of here! All the amazing things that I have planned to do are starting to dawn on me as well, and now I can’t wait!
Of course I will make the most of my last few days in Hong Kong, see my friends as much as possible, do all the things I still haven’t got round to doing in Hong Kong yet…but now it feels a little bit like I’m in limbo, waiting for everything to begin...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
So I haven’t really begun on the “travelling” part of my travels yet, so to speak, but the last few months I’ve spent in Hong Kong have been so amazing that they definitely deserve a mention.
Originally I was supposed to be here a week, then working in Sydney for six months. This didn’t work out – of course, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. So I stepped off the plane, back in the beginning of September, with five months in this amazing city ahead of me and with, to be honest, no idea what to expect.
The first major thought that hit me was “finally, I’m home”. Ever since I left Hong Kong at the age of about five, all I’d wanted to do was get back out here. Though I grew up mostly in London, I felt a strong sense of belonging in Hong Kong, and an absolute love for the country. Still, the months ahead would be so different to any part of my life so far. I still walk down the road now in total awe of the fact that I’m living in such an incredible place.
So what makes Hong Kong as amazing as this? Why do people either fall in love with it, or count the days till they can leave? It’s hard to put into words…without writing an entire novel at least! But here, in a pin-hole glimpse, I shall attempt to portray at least a part of it.
Now most people’s impression of Hong Kong is this big bustling city, which of course, the central part of it is. Yet those who have never been here, or indeed those who live in Central, work in Central, party in Central and never go anywhere else, miss Hong Kong for the beautiful place it really is. Believe it or not, the majority percentage of Hong Kong is in fact green. There are some stunning, deserted beaches; dramatic mountains, where you can spend hours hiking, looking out on breathtaking views; laid back fishing villages; glistening temples….then what everyone knows right in the middle of all this, the crazy city – with it’s famous markets where you can find just about anything, noodle bars at every turn, and a radiant party land that never sleeps. Whatever you want, Hong Kong has it.
Okay, so that doesn’t really make Hong Kong one of a kind. What does, however, is the people. And that, I’ve realised, is what I love about Hong Kong. As I mentioned in a previous post, I never expected to meet such amazing people and make such good friends as I have – they are really what has made my time here special. One rule however – avoid the bankers. At all costs. Unless pretentious, fake and boring are qualities you admire (apologies to a rare few of you who I’m sure are lovely). Now we have that out the way, here’s a bit about everyone else: Firstly, there are SO many people here in the same position as me – just got off the plane, here on a temporary contract and looking to make friends. And if they’re not in that position now, they were once, so they understand exactly how you feel. This makes people so friendly, and so happy to adopt you into their friendship group. In London if you start talking to a random stranger they will think you are up to something, but here you’re likely to make a new best friend! This will leave you with a group of friends so diverse that it would never exist in “the real world”, but that’s what makes it the most interesting group of friends you will ever have. All from different parts of the world, all in totally different industries – we have a nanny, a lawyer, a research scientist, a fashion designer, a student, an architect, a chef, a theatre set designer, a speech therapist, a toy designer….the list goes on! Then every so often you will run into someone from somewhere that you thought only you knew existed. For example, a while ago I met a girl from the tiny little village in West England where my great aunt had lived! Bizarre.
I have to say though – the one thing the whole of Hong Kong has in common – is it sure knows how to party! Sometimes just going to a pub quiz on a Tuesday evening has turned into a completely crazy night, dancing for hours whilst singing your heart out to songs I’m too embarrassed to name, followed by what seems like a really clever idea of a quick swim in the sea, then ending in a 5am McDonalds, a very confusing taxi ride home and the worlds worst hangover imaginable! Good times!
Originally I was supposed to be here a week, then working in Sydney for six months. This didn’t work out – of course, “the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry”. So I stepped off the plane, back in the beginning of September, with five months in this amazing city ahead of me and with, to be honest, no idea what to expect.
The first major thought that hit me was “finally, I’m home”. Ever since I left Hong Kong at the age of about five, all I’d wanted to do was get back out here. Though I grew up mostly in London, I felt a strong sense of belonging in Hong Kong, and an absolute love for the country. Still, the months ahead would be so different to any part of my life so far. I still walk down the road now in total awe of the fact that I’m living in such an incredible place.
So what makes Hong Kong as amazing as this? Why do people either fall in love with it, or count the days till they can leave? It’s hard to put into words…without writing an entire novel at least! But here, in a pin-hole glimpse, I shall attempt to portray at least a part of it.
Now most people’s impression of Hong Kong is this big bustling city, which of course, the central part of it is. Yet those who have never been here, or indeed those who live in Central, work in Central, party in Central and never go anywhere else, miss Hong Kong for the beautiful place it really is. Believe it or not, the majority percentage of Hong Kong is in fact green. There are some stunning, deserted beaches; dramatic mountains, where you can spend hours hiking, looking out on breathtaking views; laid back fishing villages; glistening temples….then what everyone knows right in the middle of all this, the crazy city – with it’s famous markets where you can find just about anything, noodle bars at every turn, and a radiant party land that never sleeps. Whatever you want, Hong Kong has it.
Okay, so that doesn’t really make Hong Kong one of a kind. What does, however, is the people. And that, I’ve realised, is what I love about Hong Kong. As I mentioned in a previous post, I never expected to meet such amazing people and make such good friends as I have – they are really what has made my time here special. One rule however – avoid the bankers. At all costs. Unless pretentious, fake and boring are qualities you admire (apologies to a rare few of you who I’m sure are lovely). Now we have that out the way, here’s a bit about everyone else: Firstly, there are SO many people here in the same position as me – just got off the plane, here on a temporary contract and looking to make friends. And if they’re not in that position now, they were once, so they understand exactly how you feel. This makes people so friendly, and so happy to adopt you into their friendship group. In London if you start talking to a random stranger they will think you are up to something, but here you’re likely to make a new best friend! This will leave you with a group of friends so diverse that it would never exist in “the real world”, but that’s what makes it the most interesting group of friends you will ever have. All from different parts of the world, all in totally different industries – we have a nanny, a lawyer, a research scientist, a fashion designer, a student, an architect, a chef, a theatre set designer, a speech therapist, a toy designer….the list goes on! Then every so often you will run into someone from somewhere that you thought only you knew existed. For example, a while ago I met a girl from the tiny little village in West England where my great aunt had lived! Bizarre.
I have to say though – the one thing the whole of Hong Kong has in common – is it sure knows how to party! Sometimes just going to a pub quiz on a Tuesday evening has turned into a completely crazy night, dancing for hours whilst singing your heart out to songs I’m too embarrassed to name, followed by what seems like a really clever idea of a quick swim in the sea, then ending in a 5am McDonalds, a very confusing taxi ride home and the worlds worst hangover imaginable! Good times!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Only 20 days left to go...
Will be so sad to leave HK and all the amazing people I have met behind - I knew I would have an amazing time here, but I never dreamed that it would be as amazing as it has been and that I would make such wonderful friends for life.
On the other hand... I'm so excited!! In 21 days time I will be on a gorgeous beach, with THE SUN - yes, and a warm one too!!
I will write a little bit here about my time in HK when I get a chance... but there's just so much to say, I don't know where to start right now! It will all go in a book one day...
Anyways, for now I shall leave you with a picture of what I'm getting up to:
<===Chloe's 22nd glam rock birthday party! Featuring Chloe, Lisa, Talya, me, Andrew!!
Will be so sad to leave HK and all the amazing people I have met behind - I knew I would have an amazing time here, but I never dreamed that it would be as amazing as it has been and that I would make such wonderful friends for life.
On the other hand... I'm so excited!! In 21 days time I will be on a gorgeous beach, with THE SUN - yes, and a warm one too!!
I will write a little bit here about my time in HK when I get a chance... but there's just so much to say, I don't know where to start right now! It will all go in a book one day...
Anyways, for now I shall leave you with a picture of what I'm getting up to:
<===Chloe's 22nd glam rock birthday party! Featuring Chloe, Lisa, Talya, me, Andrew!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
