later that week..

Thursday May 5^th

My taxi driver from the Hong Kong airport to the condo where I am staying was quite sociable and spoke highly of the USA (with decent English I might add). He made note of the recent news concerning the death of Osama bin Laden and he exclaimed that this was very good news and that HKG was quite happy to have learned of this. As I sit there and listen I think to the future and I am interested to see how the opinions may change as I travel throughout SE Asia. For now though it is comforting to know that most of the citizens I will be surrounded by hold our country, and indirectly me, in high regards. I guess we’ll see if I don’t yet tarnish our reputation!

I become instantly aware in the change of climate. It is noticeably warmer and considerably muggier here as I change from the average rainy doldrums of Portland to the balmy humidity of southern China. It was a difficult task to buy and pack enough clothes for nearly all seasons and I am sure I have left myself shorthanded on both ends. Alas, I will purchase along the way and learn to “use and dispose” or become very good at removing entrenched pit stains with little more than a pale of water and some highly concentrated detergent.

Friday May 6^th

I am noticeably the only white person in this restaurant. It is crazy, zoolike to me but I’m certain this is a standard day and nothing seems chaotic to the workers. Strangely I have not been served my food yet, as if I have been singled out as my quail egg and BBQ pork dim sum is prepared with extra spit. The small irony being that the previous afternoon I was stopped by a student and asked to fill out a lengthy questionnaire. One section in effect asked that “If when attending a restaurant it took a noticeably longer amount of time for me to be served, what would I think was to blame.” At the moment I blame the girl for giving me the survey and tempting fate to torture me. Truthfully I think it is an honest mistake but still stops to make me wonder. At this point I am in no hurry; yes I am hungry but time is no longer an issue for me. Outside of arriving for flights and trains I do not feel any real pressure of time….although my stomach reminds me that there is still yet a deadline that ought to be met. The food arrives and it looks to be wrapped in a giant leaf. I look at it quizzically especially since the picture I had pointed at did not include this green and steamy wrapping paper. I look across the table to another patron who looks up, smiles and remarks that I’m not supposed to eat the leaf. Thank God.

I’d like to make a comment here about the dining habits in Hong Kong. I can’t speak for high class establishments but the restaurants I entered were in a business to serve you, feed you and see you on your way. To help with this they will seat as many people as they can at a single table. You stand little chance of dining alone and at one point I found myself eating with 3 other pairs of people. This will be one of many things that I will notice and mention that at first glance seems odd, but in fact, although it is different, there is little reason why it couldn’t work back home. Unless of course you’re closed minded and prefer to dine like a grouchy hermit.