It seems blissfully fitting that today is now officially the first day of the rest of my life because today is the day that the greatest joy in my life arrived 19 years ago when my daughter was born. While she has been enjoying her very first house party in her own apartment in the UK tonight, I relocated to Hong Kong! She is simply the best thing that ever happened to me and I’ve really missed her since she went off to uni a year ago, leaving me empty nested. So it feels ‘right’ for lack of a better term that this new chapter of my life should begin on the same day that the best part of my life began back in 1995.
Life in Hong Kong
So I woke up insanely early today and was out exploring the city just after breakfast and I was so excited to learn a few little unexpected facts about life here compared to Beijing (which was my only real point of reference for eastern Asia):
- Most people speak English! It feels much more like India in that regard, and that is 100% awesome sauce! Beijing was HARD in part because almost no one spoke English. I do realise that I am the outsider here and that my native language shouldn’t be adopted by the rest of the world but … it does make it nice when it happens. Everyone here who I interacted with today – from the guy who sold me my Oyster Card and shop keepers to someone I asked for directions from – spoke English.
- People are really friendly! Again, sorry to slam Beijing but that wasn’t really the case there all the time. Maybe it had something to do with the language barrier, which would make sense, but Hong Kongers are lovely so far.
- No spitting! Well, to be fair I was only out for several hours today but I didn’t see a single person spit! Spitting in Beijing was sort of the nasty brother to all the pee’ing in India…it was everywhere. But so far, it’s all sunshine and rainbows here.
And as my first day in my new life officially comes to an end, Asian fusion chillout music is playing, the sun is setting over Hong Kong and I am fortunate to have a bird’s eye view on the harbour as I’m sat in the bay window of my hotel room on the 22nd floor typing out this first blog post. A man massaging my feet right now would really round out the day nicely but I don’t see that happening!
XOXO Angela
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Good you have done well, hope HK serves you what you deserve. Stay away from those protests and hope the situation is resolved soon. When are you visiting us in Kiwi land welcome to stay with us, ciao
Thanks, Keith, I’m all set and staying clear for the moment….but curiosity does have me thinking of popping by there for a photo and interview. Have a great week – Ange
Just browsing about Bangalore , chanced upon your blog and it has been such a merry ride. You do have a way with words, eloquently painting pictures with your narrative. Read many of your India posts, till it came to end. The fact that finally the country left you with disbelief on how you lasted long, was something which personally found hurtful and embarassing, but largely true. Have lived abroad and yes just the basic civilities and norms are sometimes missing in India, and that can be tough for anyone. However I think your comments on family and its overbearing nature can be debated. With 1.2 billion people, there are many nuances. Anyways am referring to a old note, am glad to see that you have struck happy tidings in Hong Kong. Really admire your joie de vivre. Here’s raising a cheers to you and your adventures.
Hi – thanks so much for your kind comments and for your honest candour. Indeed I did have a bit of a roller coaster in India, where I went from pure joy and fascination to moments where I was angry and frustrated by how I was treated as a woman (what most every Indian woman goes through daily with respect to groping, not being free like a man, etc). That one particular article from my first day in China was honest though, I couldn’t have done any (or most) of that in India on my own. Anyway, I do miss the creative chaos and my friends and the fun opportunities very much. I wish you only the best 🙂 -Angela
Hong Kong is interesting bangalore is also boring