Hong Kong has turned out not to be what I expected at all!! Probably out of all the cities, other than New York, I have been to, this is the most modern and beautiful, in a different way from Singapore. This place reminds one of Vancouver with a few more China Towns.
But….I don't think I have ever spent such a length of time up close and personal with urine. One way or the other, other peoples urine will enter my consciousness numerous times during the day. . If it isn't off the floor of the toilets, then its the seat, or seeing some guy up against a fence. I do have to say that there are public toilets everywhere, and they all have attendants trying to keep up with a population of people that still squat when you should sit.
The other thing I am not liking is how you have to line up for EVERYTHING and when you do, you have to fight to keep your spot. It just isn't in our nature to budge and push and get cross when someone is trying to weasel their way up. And even if its just a cup of coffee, there is a line. And, nowhere to sit. These people sit, everywhere. I have never seen such a population of people that just sit, anywhere, anytime. This city has been forced to erect signs up on every ledge and wall…"NO SITTING". When sitting IS allowed, there will be 3 people to every one chair crowded in. Consequently there is never ever anywhere to sit. We noticed this at the world fair in Shanghai too. And they will fight each other to the death to get the best spot. If someone at a table for 3 near a window gets up to leave, there will be a massive rush from people already sitting elsewhere, all converging on that one poor little table. The winning six will then sit, with their backs to the window and the view. Go figure!
Hong Kong is built up the sides of mountains and hills. It truly is a beautiful city, divided in two. Kowloon and Hong Kong Island are connected by tunnels etc…but the real method of transport is the Star Ferry. Its like the sea bus but a bit shorter trip. Those ferries have been running since 1870's. When something works here it really works. Easy on easy off. We bought a two day hop on hop off bus pass. By far the cheapest best way to tour around. You get a lot of history, and this city has history! We had one taxi driver that spoke very good English. He was an original Hong Konger. He was NOT happy about all the Chinese coming to this city!! So funny. Today we are going to go into Kowloon to the markets. I am looking forward to it but..its really hard to get a taxi. So I am going to look up here on the lap top before we go for a hotel near there. Its about the only place a taxi will show up.
Air Canada. Ah Jeez! I do not know why I booked our flight home with them. I know better. I hate them. Every other airline in the world allows 2 checked bags on international flights, or if they don't its about 25 bucks for an extra one. Not Air Canada. They don't allow two and the extra one is 70 bucks. The food sucks and they are so often late. We met a couple from Abbotsford at dinner last night. They were saying exactly the same thing. I am ashamed of our national airline. Never again.
Well, I am going to jump into the day. Unless something amazing happens I won't be sending another email. Thanks for reading!! Helen
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