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!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment