We have been in Hong Kong now for over 2 weeks and feel that we are beginning to realize what it would be like to actually live here. This is our third Hong Kong trip and we still have 2 weeks to go on this one. We are learning some of the habits, quirks, and traditions that make this city the unique place that it is. Here are some observations from an Asheville NC woman who is experiencing life in an international city.
1. There is a reason that everyone has laundry hanging over their balcony. On other Hong Kong visits, I was fascinated by the laundry hanging outside, and took numerous photos of laundry. I assumed that these people were too poor to have a clothes dryer. But here we are, living in a penthouse apartment on floor 35, and we are hanging laundry on a dryer inside about every other day. Basically, very few people own clothes dryers. Air drying laundry in this city is what people do, and it is not so bad! You just have to wash fewer clothes at a time, and more often.
2. Crossing a busy street as a pedestrian is not easy in Hong Kong. In Tokyo, people and cars are very organized at intersections. Cars promptly stop for pedestrians. In Hong Kong, cars do not promptly stop for anyone. Taxis are always on the move. So how to cross a busy intersection is a matter of guts, agility, and luck. One little trick that I have learned is that it is helpful to always cross when a young, pretty woman is crossing. I surmised that cars will always stop for a young woman. Hopefully, a taxi would not purposely run over an almost 67 year old woman, but why take that chance? So far, I am still alive.
3. While there are numerous people walking the streets of Hong Kong, they take their time when doing so. I have been pleasantly surprised that locals here walk in an unhurried, non-aggressive manner. My experience is large cities in USA is that everyone is always in a hurry, so I appreciate this aspect of the people in Hong Kong.
4. It is nice to be in a city where I am not dependent on a car. While there is a lot of traffic in the city, Hong Kong residents generally do not own cars. (There are a lot of Teslas around, of those that do own cars). The train system works great here, and I am very comfortable taking the train to my line dance class. The bus system is very efficient - Rich has done this fairly often. And, of course, people walk a lot and are generally in good shape, so that is a positive. No need to pursue fitness activities, as local residents here get their steps in by just walking on a daily basis.
5. People here love music. One of the things that I have always appreciated about living in Asheville NC is the music scene. People in Hong Kong also love music. We have heard good music in most restaurants, although most is recorded. Much of the music that people here seem to enjoy is British classic rock, and American music of any kind. We have also been to several clubs that have played excellent live music. We heard wonderful jazz one night at Peel Fresco in our neighborhood here, and danced to a live band at a place called Insomnia on Christmas night that was playing Michael Jackson! And people stay out into the wee hours to enjoy the music scene. What a great way to enjoy life!
